The United Kingdom is bracing for the peak of its fourth heatwave this year, with amber heat health alerts issued as temperatures are forecast to reach 35C in some areas. The intense heat is occurring alongside a prolonged dry spell, leading to low soil moisture levels and an increased risk of wildfires.
Wednesday is anticipated to be the hottest day of the week for many parts of the country. The Met Office has reported that rainfall in England this month has been exceptionally low, with just 4.4mm recorded. This figure ties with June 1925 and is only marginally higher than the record low of 3.3mm set in February 1891.
Areas like Wisley in Surrey have experienced significant dry conditions, recording 41 consecutive days without rain as of July 28. In Wales, where drought conditions were declared last week in some regions, July is on track to be the fourth driest month since records began, with rainfall levels for the month projected to be as low as those recorded in 2026.
The combination of parched ground and high temperatures has created fuel for wildfires. Several areas have already seen vegetation ignite. While some showers are expected across Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the far north of England, the forecast suggests only minimal rainfall, with less than a millimetre likely in many of these regions.
By the weekend, pressure is expected to build across the southern half of the UK, further extending the dry period. Despite the continuing dry spell in the south, showers are forecast to persist in the north. Millions of households are currently under hosepipe bans due to the ongoing lack of rain.
A temperature map for Wednesday indicated highs of 34C in London, with much of the UK experiencing temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s, while the north remained cooler, around 16C. Thursday's forecast showed a slight decrease, with highs anticipated to be around 27C near London and 14C in the north.
