Chris Fawkes

A cold front is expected to bring cooler conditions and some rain to parts of the UK from Thursday into the weekend, although the driest areas of England are unlikely to receive significant rainfall. More than half of England and all of Wales are officially in drought, with low river flows, early harvests, wildfire risks and hosepipe bans affecting more than 20 million people. Recent heat pushed temperatures to 35.2C, while the verified UK June record was raised to 38.0C. The north-west is likely to receive the most rain, while rainfall in southern England remains uncertain, and the summer has already recorded an unusually high number of days above 30C and 35C.

Heat is expected to return across England and parts of Wales next week, with temperatures forecast to reach 25-32C and potentially 30-35C in a more intense surge. Rain will continue mainly in northern and western areas, while high pressure builds near southern Britain. A fourth UK heatwave of 2026 could be declared, although the Met Office says isolated stations reaching threshold temperatures would not be sufficient. Usk and Exeter have recorded 20 consecutive days meeting heatwave criteria, but cooler weekend conditions are expected to end those local heatwaves.