Widespread sweltering conditions expected to ease as cooler Atlantic air moves in
The UK continues to bake under soaring temperatures as the nation endures its third heatwave of the summer, with highs of up to 31°C expected on Sunday before a cooler change begins on Monday.
According to the Met Office, the country is now moving past the peak of the heatwave, with heavy rainfall and cooler temperatures forecast from Monday onwards. Sunday will bring slightly lower temperatures, but many areas will still face intense heat, particularly across the Midlands, southern, and eastern England, where amber heat-health alerts remain in force until 9:00am on Monday.
Saturday marked the hottest day of the year so far in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands recorded 32.2°C the first time Scotland has breached the 30°C mark since June 2023. Magilligan in Northern Ireland hit 30°C for the first time since July 2022, while Cardiff’s Bute Park matched England’s top temperature of 33.1°C, also recorded in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned that amber alerts signify a likely impact on health services and an increased risk to vulnerable groups, including people aged over 65 and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Yellow alerts have also been issued for parts of northern England, including the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber.
The prolonged heat has prompted hosepipe bans in areas of Yorkshire, Kent, and Sussex, restricting activities like garden watering and car washing. Violators could face fines, with authorities urging residents to conserve water during the dry spell.
Meanwhile, wildfires have broken out in parts of the UK. Scotland issued an “extreme” wildfire warning across much of the country, and firefighters in Surrey are tackling a blaze near Farnham, which had expanded to eight hectares by Saturday evening. The public has been advised to avoid affected areas and keep windows and doors closed.
Sporting events have also felt the heat. Wimbledon witnessed near-record heat during the women’s singles final, with temperatures reaching 31°C. Iga Swiatek triumphed over Amanda Anisimova in sweltering conditions. A cooler but still warm 29°C is expected for Sunday’s men’s final.
According to Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk, “the heatwave will begin to break down” from Sunday evening. Monday will bring widespread showers and possible thunderstorms, particularly in the north and west of England, as Atlantic air pushes in and returns temperatures to seasonal averages.
However, parts of the south-east may continue to experience temperatures around 27–28°C on Monday, with more significant relief from the heat likely on Tuesday. There is a chance of heat rebuilding in the south-east later in the week, though not to the extreme levels experienced in recent days.
While directly attributing individual weather events to climate change is complex, experts agree that climate change is contributing to hotter, longer, and more frequent heatwaves. The UK’s trio of summer heatwaves, following an unusually warm spring, underscores growing concerns about the impact of global warming on human health, infrastructure, and biodiversity.
