Weather forecasting models suggest the UK could experience its hottest day of the year so far on Thursday, with temperatures potentially peaking at 39C. The Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning ahead of Thursday, and the current 2026 record of 37.7C, set on June 26 in Lingwood, Norfolk, could be broken.
Heat to build from Wednesday
Temperatures are expected to surge into the mid-30s from Wednesday. The GFS model shows highs of 36C are possible in western parts of England tomorrow. Much of the south could reach 35C, with South Wales hitting 33C, the Midlands reaching 34C, and areas as far north as Yorkshire rising to 33C. Northern Ireland and Scotland are expected to be noticeably cooler.
Thursday should be the hottest day this week. The GFS model shows scorching 39C highs are possible in Gloucestershire, with 38C potentially coming quite widely in western and southern parts of England.
Twelve counties set for 38C or more
Temperature anomaly maps for Thursday show England and Wales shaded in black, indicating temperatures will rise well above the seasonal average for this time of year. In total, the GFS model maps suggest 12 counties could reach 38C or more on Thursday, all in England: Shropshire, Hereford, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Northamptonshire.
Met Office forecast
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.”
“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.”
