Image source, EPA/ShutterstockThe UK is set to bake in another day of 35C highs, with temperatures expected to remain at heatwave level until the end of next week.
On Thursday, temperatures exceeded 34C for the eighth day this year, breaking the previous record of seven days over this peak, set in 1976 and 2020.
The duration of the year’s third heatwave, which began earlier this week, has been striking and could last into next, before cooler more unsettled weather is forecast to arrive.
But parts of the UK could see some respite over the weekend when a north-easterly breeze on Saturday is expected to pull in cooler air from the North Sea. However, spots in the south and east will still meet heatwave temperatures.
Amber and yellow heat health warnings issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), external remain in place across large parts of England until 21:00 BST on Sunday.
Where will it be hottest?
On Thursday the heat peaked at 35.5C at Wisley in Surrey.
Wales was not far behind with Bute Park in Cardiff reaching 31.3C, Charterhall in Scotland reached 29.3C and Killowen registered the highest Northern Ireland temperature with 27.5C.
On Friday the heat focus shifts further west into places such as Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and eastern Wales – where temperatures could rise to 34 or 35C in parts.
Meanwhile, as high pressure shifts more towards the north of the UK, a north-easterly wind should bring a refreshing breeze inland and eastern areas of England will feel less hot.
Is this heatwave breaking records?
The current heatwave is not expected to break any daily temperature records, however, on Thursday the Met Office announced there have been eight days in 2026 where the heat has reached or exceeded 34C.
There were two in the May heatwave, four in June’s and so far two in this one, which is a record for the calendar year, surpassing 1976 and 2020. A further 34C plus reading is anticipated on Friday.
During June’s heatwave, temperatures peaked at 37.7C in Lingwood, Norfolk, smashing the previous June record of 35.6C.
Wales also recorded its hottest June day with 35.9C in Cardiff, while Northern Ireland equalled its June record with 30.8C in Castlederg, County Tyrone.
Scotland fell just slightly short of hitting its all-time June record which was 32.2C set in 1893. In June its top temperature was 31.2C at Threave, in Dumfries and Galloway.
In this July heatwave the highest temperature so far this time has been 35.5C at Wisley in Surrey, on Thursday.
Although temperatures will drop off a little into the weekend, many places will still reach the official heatwave thresholds through much of next week.
People may be drawing comparisons with 1976, where the UK saw 16 consecutive days above 30C, but this record is not likely to be broken.
The highest temperature recorded in the UK was during the unprecedented heatwave of 2022, when an astonishing 40.3C was recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
Heat health alerts
Amber heat health alerts have been issued by the UKHSA to cover all but the north-east of England, where a yellow alert is in place. The alerts all run until 21:00 on Sunday.
This means that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services, particularly among people aged 65 and over, the very young or those with existing health conditions.
The effect of high daytime temperatures can be exacerbated when they fall very little overnight and do not give our bodies enough time to recover as we try to sleep.
High pollen
In addition to the heat many are also struggling with the high levels of pollen.
Grass pollen is dominant at this time of year but increasingly weed pollen is becoming more prevalent.
High temperatures, light winds and a lack of rainfall can create ideal conditions for it to accumulate in the atmosphere.
Rain usually helps wash pollen out of the air, but with dry weather expected to persist for several more days, concentrations can build steadily.
Gentle breezes can also transport pollen over large distances away from the immediate sources and an easterly wind is expected in southern areas from Friday.
This combination of high pollen levels, very warm days and oppressive nights can be particularly troublesome for hay fever sufferers.
