The UK is set to experience its fifth heatwave of the year this week, with weather models indicating temperatures could peak as high as 39C. The Met Office is considering issuing amber or red extreme heat warnings ahead of what could be the hottest day of 2026 on Thursday.
Record temperatures expected
The current temperature record for 2026 stands at 37.7C, recorded on June 26 in Lingwood, Norfolk. Temperatures are expected to reach 29C today and 30C tomorrow, before surging into the mid-30s from Wednesday. The GFS model shows highs of 36C are possible in western parts of England on Wednesday.
Much of the south could see 35C, with South Wales reaching 33C, the Midlands 34C, and areas as far north as Yorkshire rising to 33C. Northern Ireland and Scotland are expected to be cooler.
Thursday: Hottest day
Thursday is forecast to be the hottest day of the week. The GFS model shows scorching 39C highs possible in Gloucestershire, with 38C potentially occurring widely in western and southern parts of England. Temperature anomaly maps indicate England and Wales will be shaded black, showing temperatures well above the seasonal average.
In total, the GFS model suggests 12 counties could reach 38C or more on Thursday, all in England.
Counties facing 38C or more
- Shropshire
- Hereford
- Worcestershire
- Gloucestershire
- Warwickshire
- Staffordshire
- Oxfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Berkshire
- Wiltshire
- Hampshire
- Northamptonshire
Met Office forecast
The Met Office has said it is considering issuing amber or red extreme heat warnings as temperatures climb into the mid to high-30s later this week.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “We’ll probably see highs reaching the mid-30s quite widely on Wednesday, and indeed on Thursday too for England and Wales.”
He added: “On Wednesday, probably the Midlands, maybe a little bit further south, the M4 corridor, west of London, up towards the Midlands, is where we might have a small chance of reaching 36C in one or two spots. But Thursday at this stage looks the most likely hottest day of the week. So 36C is a fairly reasonable probability locally on Thursday and there’s a small chance it could get even higher than that.”
