UK braces for fifth summer heatwave as Scotland gets half a month's rain in two days
Scotland received over 100mm of rain in two days while England and Wales prepare for a fifth heatwave, with temperatures forecast to peak at 36C by Thursday.
Rain drenches Scotland while England and Wales stay dry
More than 100mm of rain fell across north-west Scotland on Friday and Saturday, amounting to over half a month's rainfall in just two days. Parts of Northern Ireland also saw rain on Sunday. The Met Office forecast that the wet weather could move southwards, leaving cloud over Wales and central England overnight, but the precipitation has offered no relief to drought-stricken areas further south. Nineteen counties across England recorded 1mm or less throughout the whole of July, the driest July in England and Wales since records began in 1836.
- NW Scotland (Fri-Sat)
- 100 mm
- 19 English counties (all July)
- 1 mm
They've seen over 100mm of rain on Friday and Saturday, so the rain isn't far away and there is a little bit of rain in northern England and Northern Ireland today too.
Fifth heatwave of the summer approaches
Temperatures rose to 30C in south-east England over the weekend, with Frittenden in Kent recording 30.6C on Sunday. Meteorologist Tom Morgan told the Press Association that temperatures could still peak at 32C or just above that afternoon. The Met Office predicts a brief dip on Monday before high pressure moves across the UK and settles to the east, allowing a southerly flow to develop. Temperatures could reach 30C in parts of England and Wales by Tuesday, climbing to 32C and 34C respectively by Wednesday, and peaking at 36C in parts of East Anglia and the South East by Thursday.
- Frittenden in Kent records 30.6C, with temperatures expected to peak at 32C
- Slightly cooler, brief dip before heatwave conditions return
- Highs of up to 30C possible in parts of England and Wales
- Temperatures reach 32C and 34C respectively in parts of England and Wales
- Heat peaks at 36C in parts of East Anglia and the South East
A fairly widespread heatwave is likely across large parts of England and Wales, with hot conditions developing in places. The heat is expected to peak for much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Wednesday.
Mike Silverstone, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, added that humidity levels are expected to increase through the week, potentially making conditions feel more uncomfortable, particularly overnight.
Health alerts and medicine warnings
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts for seven regions: the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These alerts remain in place until 9pm on Tuesday but may be extended as the hot weather continues.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned on Friday that common medicines can affect the body's response to heat, making it harder to stay hydrated, regulate temperature, or cope with sun exposure.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly used to treat acid reflux and heartburn, have also been linked to a very low risk of a lupus-like skin reaction triggered by sun exposure, and common painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen may also increase sun sensitivity.
A summer of record-breaking extremes
The extreme weather of summer 2026 has included two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to more than 2,800 excess deaths. Two further heatwaves in July have fuelled drought and wildfires across England and Wales. Half of England and all of Wales were plunged into drought as the heatwaves gripped last month, with the UK's health watchdog this week issuing a warning to take extra precautions when taking medicine in hot weather.
