BBC Wales weatherman Derek Brockway has confirmed that the fifth heatwave of the summer is coming to an end, describing it as being 'on its last legs'. The UK recorded its hottest day of the year on Thursday, with temperatures hitting 38.1°C in parts of the UK.
Record-breaking summer
The latest extreme heat also means 2026 has seen the most number of days reaching or exceeding 36°C (four days) and 37°C (three days), with it also equalling 2022 for seeing two days of 38°C. There have also been hundreds of wildfires across Wales as fire crews work around the clock to bring them under control.
Weekend forecast
But the extreme heat looks set to come to an end, with it set to turn cooler and fresher over the weekend. Although there is still very little rain in the forecast, and temperatures will remain above average for the time of year in many parts of Wales.
On Friday afternoon, Derek Brockway said: "It will be mostly dry and we will have to wait until next week to see any rain." On Saturday, we have a ridge of high pressure extending north into the UK from the Azores. That will means more dry weather. Another dry day, still warm with very warm in the south east, with highs of 26°C in Cardiff.
"On Sunday, we could see one or two showers in the north, otherwise it is a dry picture with a mixture of cloud and sunshine. Next week looks cooler and more changeable with a chance of some rain and showers at times."
Met Office outlook
The Met Office forecast for Wales this weekend says: "Any isolated showers in the west on Saturday clearing to leave a dry day with sunny periods. Generally feeling somewhat fresher in the northerly breeze but locally very warm in the south. Maximum temperature 26 °C."
"Mostly dry on Sunday and Monday with sunny spells. Breezier by Tuesday with the chance of some welcome rain or showers for some. Still warm with temperatures mostly above average."
Chief Met Office forecaster Neil Armstrong, said: "This current spell of extreme heat is the latest in a remarkable summer. Numerous temperature records have been broken and we’ve seen an exceptionally dry season across much of England and Wales too.
"Temperatures will remain high overnight in the east, with a widespread tropical night likely where temperatures don’t fall below 20°C. Friday will be a less hot day, with temperatures forecast to reach highs of 34°C in the south east. Into the weekend temperatures could still hover over 30°C in the south, with a gradual return to average over the next few days."
With such a prolonged dry spell across England and Wales, many are looking for signs of much needed rain.
Rain chances
Deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, Steven Keates, said: "Many people are desperate for some rain to alleviate the impacts of the prolonged dry spell. There is a chance of some thunderstorms developing in central and southeastern parts of England later on Friday into Saturday, however these are very uncertain.
"A front moving south eastwards across the UK on Monday and Tuesday could bring northern areas some rain but amounts of rain in the south will be small at most and the majority will fall over Northern Ireland and Scotland."
The next meaningful rain forecast for these very dry areas could be towards the end of next week as an area of low pressure influences our weather from the southwest.
