The RAC has estimated that 14.1 million motorists will embark on journeys between Friday and Sunday as schools break up for the summer holidays, making it the second-busiest summer getaway on the roads since records began in 2016. The Met Office says the heatwave will continue for at least another seven to 10 days.
Busiest Days and Travel Predictions
The RAC predicted Saturday will be the busiest day for getaway journeys, with 3.8 million trips planned. Friday and Sunday will each see an estimated 3.4 million motorists. A further 6.8 million trips will be spread across the three-day period, with drivers unsure which exact day they will hit the road. The only busier period was in 2022, when 18.8 million trips were recorded as the easing of coronavirus restrictions sparked a surge in travel.
Heatwave Persists Across the UK
UK temperatures have topped 30°C during the past 11 days, and the Met Office says the hot spell is locked in for at least another week. Met Office spokesman Graham Madge said: “The settled and fine conditions people are currently enjoying look locked in for the next seven to 10 days and are likely to remain strong.” David Hayter, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, added: “Every day for the last 11 days, somewhere in the UK has seen temperatures reach or exceed 30°C. The high pressure, which has brought this prolonged fine spell, will continue for the next week or so at least, but will shift enough to enable a more northerly flow that will introduce a cooler feel that will end the run of 30°C days.”
Regional Temperature Variations
England has been particularly warm, with mean temperatures currently 2.4°C above the average 21°C that could be expected. Wales is sitting 2.2°C above an average of around 19.3°C. Scotland and Northern Ireland have remained closer to their seasonal norms of 17.3°C and 18.6°C, but they are still running above average at 0.9°C and 1.3°C respectively. The Met Office noted that 2026 became the first year to record temperatures of 35°C on six separate days.
School Holidays and Weather Outlook
Most schools in England and Wales break up for the summer holidays at the end of this week or early next week, while the academic year has already ended in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The weekend will see plenty of sunshine and dry weather, although there may be a few isolated showers and a dip in temperatures. Whether the current heatwave continues will depend on whether there are three days of temperatures above 28°C in London or 25°C for the rest of the country. It is too soon to say whether the conditions will last beyond the next 10 days and towards the end of July.
