The United Kingdom is set to experience a third heatwave this week, with temperatures potentially reaching 34 degrees Celsius in parts of the country, according to the Met Office. This follows record-breaking heat in May and June, making June 2026 the warmest on record in the UK.
Temperature Forecasts Across the UK
In London, temperatures are expected to climb to 33C on Wednesday, peak at 34C on Thursday, and remain at 33C on Friday. Liverpool will see a high of 25C on Wednesday, rising to 27C on Thursday and 29C on Friday. The Met Office predicts that southern and southeastern regions will experience the hottest conditions, with northern areas not far behind.
Met Office Outlook for the North West
The Met Office's outlook for the north west of England indicates dry and very warm weather, with a chance of thunderstorms. The forecaster stated: "Northern and western parts may be unsettled at first with heavy rain or thundery showers, before high pressure becomes reestablished. This will continue to bring dry and very warm weather across England and Wales, but always with an ongoing chance of thunderstorms moving in from France."
Comparison with Previous Heatwaves
Unlike the previous two heatwaves, this week's hot spell is unlikely to break temperature records or feature high humidity. The Met Office explained that the key difference is the source of the air: high pressure is positioned further west, allowing westerly winds to influence conditions. This should keep temperatures below June's extremes and result in lower humidity levels.
The Met Office added: "Temperatures by day will be widely very warm, hot or even very hot in parts of the south. There are signs for the heatwave to ease back to more normal summer temperatures through the next week commencing Monday 13 July."
Context of Recent Weather
The UK experienced a heatwave in May, followed by another in June, which was the warmest June on record. Red and amber weather warnings were in place across the country during that period. After a brief cooldown at the start of July, temperatures are now rising again.
