UK facing ‘most changeable week’ of weather since June – as water company imposes first hosepipe ban in 50 years

17th August, 2026 | News

UK Braces for Unsettled Weather as Temperatures Fall After Heatwave

The United Kingdom is set for a significant change in weather this week, with rain, possible thunderstorms and falling temperatures expected across much of the country following weeks of hot and dry conditions.

The Met Office described the coming days as the UK’s “most changeable week” since June, after temperatures reached as high as 38°C during last week’s heatwave.

Forecasters said the change in weather is being driven by a southward shift in the jet stream. The movement is expected to weaken the high-pressure system that contributed to the recent hot conditions and allow areas of low pressure to dominate.

As the low-pressure system moves south, much of Britain is expected to experience more unsettled conditions, including periods of rain and the possibility of thunderstorms. Temperatures are also expected to fall as winds shift to a northerly direction.

Some areas could experience notably cool overnight temperatures. Forecasts indicate that temperatures could drop to around 6°C in the Brecon Beacons in Wales during the early hours of Saturday, while South Newington in the Cotswolds could record lows of about 8°C.

The sudden change follows a prolonged period of hot, dry weather that has increased pressure on water supplies in parts of the UK.

Wessex Water announced a hosepipe ban on Monday, with restrictions due to take effect from midnight on Tuesday. The measure will affect customers across Bath, Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire and represents the company’s first hosepipe ban in 50 years.

The restrictions will affect approximately 1.4 million customers as water companies respond to the impact of the recent dry conditions.

While the expected rainfall could provide some relief, forecasters warn that the week ahead will be considerably more unsettled than the hot conditions experienced recently.

The shift in weather is expected to bring cooler temperatures and wetter conditions across parts of the UK, marking a sharp contrast with last week’s extreme heat.