When will this UK heatwave end and how hot will it get?

Weather records continue to be shattered in 2026, with the Met Office recording temperatures of at least 35C in the UK for the first time in May, June and July of the same year.

May and June saw sweltering heatwaves, with temperatures reaching 37.7C last month. This broke the previous June record, which dated back to the summer of 1976.

The highest temperature in July so far was 35.5 degrees in Wisley, Surrey, last Thursday, and the hot weather is showing little sign of slowing down.

While temperatures ease slightly from the peak, many southern and western regions are expected to remain warm throughout the week.

Facing the year’s third consecutive heatwave, many Britons are wondering how long the high temperatures will last. Here’s what we know about the coming weeks:

How hot will this heat wave be?

The Met Office said areas in England and Wales will continue to experience temperatures exceeding 30 degrees in the second week of July.

After a sunny and very warm start to Monday, more sunshine will arrive on Tuesday, with some clouds in the North East and clear skies everywhere else.

According to the forecaster, the weather will be “dry, sunny and very warm” for most areas from Wednesday to Friday.

Steven Keates, chief deputy forecaster at the Met Office, said: “Despite this week the outlook remains stable with plenty of sunshine and temperatures peaking around 30°C-32°C in parts of England and Wales.

“In terms of rain, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms in remote parts of southern England on Wednesday and Thursday, but these are likely to be sporadic and many people will not see any rain at all this week.

“By the weekend, high pressure returns from the northwest, reducing the risk of showers and providing a return to more widespread, dry and still warm conditions. Temperatures ease slightly on Saturday compared to the midweek peak, but remain nice and warm in many areas.”

Natural England’s fire severity index puts large parts of England at risk of wildfire.

When will the heat wave end?

Although temperatures will tend to drop very slightly this week, many areas will remain dry, beautiful and very hot.

There is no clear end to the current heatwave and very high temperatures, according to the Met Office.

Deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree said last week: “Many people will understandably want to know how long the current heatwave will last. “While temperatures are expected to ease in south-east England over the weekend and into next week, there will be no direct end to this hot weather.

“High pressure is expected to persist for much of next week, but will gradually move northwards. This means an easterly wind will settle in the south and the focus of the warmest conditions will move south-westwards.”

“As a result, some of the places that have seen the highest temperatures in recent weeks will begin to cool down. However, the weather will remain very warm, particularly in the South West, and heatwave thresholds may continue to be met in some places.

“The general signal is that the weather will continue into next week for many parts of the UK. However, there is a possibility of storms spreading to parts of the South and South West.”

What will be the impact of this heat wave?

Various yellow heat warnings issued by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) will remain in force until 9pm on Friday 17 July. Only Yorkshire and the North East were unaffected.

This means impacts are likely across health and social care services, including an increase in deaths due to high temperatures, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with existing health conditions.

The UKHSA said similar significant impacts were possible in these areas and warned of a potential increase in water-related incidents, including risks of cold water shock and drowning, across England.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said people should “take the usual precautions against heat and sun”.

He added: “Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave experienced in the UK so far this year. But unlike the May and June heatwaves, we do not expect this heatwave to be record-breaking.”

National Rail Surveys have urged train passengers to check for updates in the coming days due to the heatwave.

Vehicle breakdown recovery teams are also likely to be busier than usual due to high temperatures.

Drivers are advised to carry plenty of water and carry out basic vehicle checks, especially tire pressures and coolant and oil levels, before setting off.

Tony Rich, the AA’s road safety spokesman, said: “With temperatures expected to drop into the low 30s in some parts of England over the coming days, drivers should take the heat as seriously as ice or heavy rain.

“A few simple checks before you drive off can make a big difference. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, check your coolant levels and have plenty of drinking water for everyone in the vehicle, including pets.”

The Met Office said UV levels were expected to be high or very high in many parts of the UK throughout the week and advised people to use sunscreen.

The forecaster also warned that pollen levels are expected to be high or very high in some areas this week.