Following a brief weekend dip in temperatures, a new heatwave is set to grip the UK next week with highs reaching up to 33C. The incoming heat arrives as amber and yellow heat health alerts remain active across England, five water companies enforce hosepipe bans, and authorities warn of extreme wildfire risks.
Weekend Temperature Relief Proves Brief as Heat Returns
Sunday brought a cooler day across the UK, accompanied by cloudy skies and light rain in southern and eastern areas. Temperatures dropped widely by a couple of degrees, finally bringing an end to a stubborn third heatwave of the year for specific locations including Usk in Monmouthshire and Exeter in Devon. Both places are forecast to see temperatures drop beneath the heatwave threshold for the first time in 21 consecutive days.
Despite a fresher, breezier day with temperatures largely in the mid-20s Celsius in the south-east and mid-teens further north, the relief is short-lived. High pressure is set to build close to the south of the UK next week, stalling rain-bearing weather fronts and confining any wet weather to northern and western areas—especially north-west Scotland. Southern parts of the UK will soon see temperatures climb once again by tapping into the heat over the near continent, with temperatures in England and Wales likely to peak around 25-32C for much of next week.
Health Alerts and Shifting Winds Across England and Wales
Amber and yellow heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency remain in place across large parts of England until 21:00 BST on Sunday. A strengthening north-easterly wind has shifted the hottest spots from south-east England further west across the west Midlands and south-east Wales.
While heatwave conditions continue across many parts of England and Wales, a brisker wind means temperatures are still dropping relative to recent days. North-easterly winds mean areas experiencing the biggest drop in temperature are those close to North Sea coasts, with highs on Sunday and Monday around 18-21C. Even with the breeze, it remains hot across the western half of England and Wales with highs of 26-30C widely, but 31-33C possible in parts of south-east Wales and south-west England. By Sunday, parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland will see more sunshine as temperatures rise slightly, with parts of western Northern Ireland possibly reaching or exceeding the 25C heatwave threshold temperature.
Wildfire Warnings Amid Dry Conditions and Record-Breaking Heat
The high temperatures and dry conditions coupled with freshening winds will result in extreme wildfire conditions for many parts of England and Wales through the weekend, the Met Office warned. Authorities emphasize that the danger to the countryside remains acute.
A National Fire Chiefs Council spokesperson stated that when the weather remains hot and dry, only a single spark is needed to ignite a wildfire, and what begins as a minor fire can expand with extraordinary speed, placing individuals, residences, wildlife, and rural areas in danger.
This ongoing warmth comes as Friday saw temperatures exceed 35C, making it a record for the most 35+C days in a calendar year—bringing the total so far in 2026 to six. It also brought the total of 34+C days to nine, marking another record.
Water Companies Enforce Hosepipe Bans for Millions
Increased water demand and a persistent lack of rainfall have prompted five water companies to implement strict restrictions. As the heatwave continues, more than five million people are under hosepipe bans due to concerns over the lack of rainfall and increased demand for water.
- Anglian Water: Introduced its first hosepipe ban in a decade which applies to customers in the east of England and begins at 01:00 BST on Saturday.
- Southern Water: Enforced a ban for one million households supplied in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
- South East Water: Has its own restrictions in place.
- Cambridge Water: Also announced its first hosepipe ban in 30 years.
For most places, the dry spell is set to continue. Low pressure could bring some welcome rain by the end of next week, and with lower pressure sitting the other side of the English Channel the far south-west of England could see some showers on Monday that should die out as they run further north on Tuesday. It is not really until the end of the week that the chance of rain is greater, currently looking confined to southern parts of England, and perhaps only briefly. Most of the downpours may be over the near continent as high pressure is forecast to build back across the UK next weekend from the Atlantic, bringing a cooler wind but no rain.
Looking Ahead to Next Week’s Rebound
These changes to the weather do not mean an end to the heatwave. It will heat up again next week widely, and while it will not be as hot as the past seven days, the heatwave criteria could be met in more of the UK by Wednesday or Thursday.
High pressure will remain centered to the north of the UK and the brisk east to north-easterly winds will gradually lessen with warmer air from northern France pushing back into southern England. Here, temperatures will get back up to 32 or 33C. Current forecasts suggest there is a chance that somewhere in the UK will reach 30C or more for 12 days in a row, but this could come to an end by next weekend.
