UK Braces for 36°C Heatwave as Drought Concerns Deepen

07 August 2026 | News

The United Kingdom is set to experience another spell of intense heat next week, with temperatures forecast to reach 36°C in parts of south-east England and East Anglia, prompting fresh health warnings and increasing concerns over worsening drought conditions.

According to the Met Office, temperatures will steadily rise through the weekend, with heatwave conditions expected to return across much of England and Wales. The hottest weather is forecast for Thursday, when some areas could see highs of 36°C.

The forecast comes as the Environment Agency revealed that England has recorded seven consecutive weeks with less than 10mm of rainfall. Officials warned that additional regions could be officially declared drought areas next week, adding to the parts of England already affected.

Weather conditions are expected to vary across the UK this weekend. Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to experience periods of heavy rain, while England and Wales will remain mostly dry, sunny and increasingly hot.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 27°C on Friday, 30°C on Saturday, and climb into the low 30s on Sunday, with widespread highs between 32°C and 34°C expected by midweek.

The latest heatwave follows an exceptionally dry summer. Last month was officially the driest July recorded in England and Wales since records began in 1836, while the UK also experienced its sunniest July on record.

The prolonged hot weather has already contributed to severe drought conditions, increased wildfire risks and mounting concerns over food production. Recent studies have also linked the record-breaking heatwaves experienced in May and June to more than 2,700 excess deaths across the UK.

The Environment Agency is preparing to introduce restrictions on water abstraction in parts of East Anglia to protect rivers experiencing exceptionally low water levels.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mike Silverstone warned that humidity levels are also expected to rise, making conditions feel increasingly uncomfortable, particularly overnight.

Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat-health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, London, South East, South West, East of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber. The alerts will remain in force from 9:00 a.m. on Saturday until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Authorities are urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, and check on elderly or vulnerable people as temperatures continue to climb.

The latest forecast underscores growing concerns over the long-term impact of climate change, with experts warning that hotter summers, prolonged dry spells and more frequent heatwaves are becoming increasingly common across the UK.