Record-breaking heat continues across UK
Sweaty tube journeys and humid nights are set to continue this summer as 2026 became the first year to record temperatures of 35°C on six separate days. Forecasters have said areas of England and Wales will continue to exceed 30°C throughout the weekend and into next week.
Saturday is expected to see highs of 32-34°C in Wales and south-west England, the Met Office has said. Amber and yellow heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency will remain in place across large parts of England until Sunday.
Thunderstorms possible but dry week ahead
The Met has warned of possible thunderstorms from Monday in parts of the south, but overall another very dry week is expected. Met Office deputy chief forecaster David Hayter said: 'Areas of central and southern England and Wales are expected to see several more consecutive days of temperatures above 30°C.'
'While temperatures are expected to reach into the low to mid-30s through the weekend, the focus of the heat will gradually shift towards western parts of the UK,' Hayter added. 'This will also bring some slightly cooler and cloudier conditions to eastern coastal areas than of recent days. It will also turn windier across southern areas, bringing breezier conditions, especially along coasts and headlands.'
New temperature records set
The Met Office announced the new records after temperatures peaked at 35.2°C at Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire, on Friday afternoon. The former record for most days above 35°C was held by 1976 and 2020, during which five days were recorded with temperatures over 35°C.
This year has also become the first year to see temperatures of 35°C or higher in three calendar months – and broke the record for most temperatures of 34°C or higher, with nine so far this summer.
Hosepipe bans introduced across England
Water firms have announced hosepipe bans for the east of England, Cambridge, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and areas of Kent. Strain on water supplies has intensified after the successive heatwaves followed a record warm spring for England and Wales.
It comes as the UK faces growing pressure on its water system as human-driven climate change disrupts rainfall patterns and drives more extreme weather events. This has been compounded by population increases as well as years of under-investment in infrastructure, including no new reservoirs being built in 30 years and leaking pipes.
Hosepipe restrictions came into force on Friday for about one million Southern Water customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. On Friday morning, Anglian Water also announced a hosepipe ban for its more than five million customers in the east of England. The ban will come into force from 1am on Saturday but the utility has asked that people 'live within the spirit of these restrictions immediately'.
In a notice on Thursday afternoon, Cambridge Water announced a temporary hosepipe ban for its 350,000 customers, which came into effect immediately but enforcement actions will not start until 1am on July 17. This marks the first time in three decades it has introduced the restriction, with the company saying teams are working around the clock to maintain supplies. South East Water became the first to introduce a ban on July 3 for areas of Kent, including those in Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells.
