Jim Dale of the British Weather Services has warned that future summers could be even hotter than the current one, which has already brought scorching heatwaves, drought, and widespread fires. He told MyLondon that record highs from fossil fuel emissions mean the atmosphere will become extreme in certain places.
Record Heat and Fatal Consequences
This summer's heatwaves in May and June led to an estimated more than 2,700 excess deaths in England and Wales, according to official data. Temperatures recently hit a sweltering 38.1C in Kew Gardens, London, marking the hottest day of the year.
Dale said: “There's every expectation that not just 2027 summer but 2028 and onwards that more of the same is more likely than not.” He added that this year's conditions could be superseded by even hotter summers in the future.
Political Response to Climate Change
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, speaking from the West Midlands, warned about climate change after a grass fire near Stourbridge Golf Club spread to homes on Thursday, August 13, destroying 19 homes and damaging 18 others. He said: “We have to face up to the changing climate. I think we need a different debate about that. There’s no point denying where we are. We need to face up to it.”
The fire in Stourbridge left burnt-out remains of houses on Quarry Park Road, with Joe Giddens of PA Wire capturing the devastation on Monday, August 17, 2026.
Weather Forecast: Rain on the Horizon
The Met Office expects a wet turn in the weather. Deputy Chief Forecaster Mike Silverstone said showers are expected on Tuesday in the north of the country, particularly in the North West, with another area of rain moving into the South West by the evening. This will likely spread east across the South, bringing the first spell of widespread rain to areas that need it most.
“Thursday will be a day of heavy showers across much of the UK, while some of these will be heavy some areas will miss them altogether,” Silverstone said. “As some of these showers could be intense, there is a chance of some surface water flooding as the rain falls on very dry and hard ground.” By Friday, August 21, conditions are expected to turn drier through the weekend before more rain is forecast next week.
