Forecasters say the UK’s third heatwave of 2026 is set to ease this weekend, however Scotland is still facing high temperatures next week.
While early modelling indicates the respite may be brief, with the mercury expected to climb into the mid to high‑30s again before long.
The Met Office anticipates peak temperatures of 30C or 31C through the remainder of the week, before a marked drop on Sunday (July 19), when highs of 25C are expected in southern England and 22C across northern regions, including Scotland.
Conditions will stay “dry and settled” into the weekend, according to the Met Office, albeit with “cloud amounts generally increasing”, the Mirror reports.
View 4 ImagesAnomaly maps show temperatures soaring well above average later this month(Image: WXCHARTS)
And while temperatures will be “dropping towards the seasonal average”, forecasters still expect it to feel “pleasant in the sunshine” An uncomfortable heat could return, though, with the GFS weather model now predicting temperatures to surge back as high as 36C again on the following weekend.
The model suggests highs of 34C and 35C could appear on July 25 (Saturday) in western England, as well as 33C in Wales, 34C in the Midlands, and 34C in the south-east. The following day (July 26), data shows highs of 36C for the east of England. Temperatures could also reach 34C/35C as far north as South Yorkshire, the maps show, with Scotland expected to remain slightly cooler.
Areas around Inverness, including Elgin, are expected to reach highs of 27C next weekend.
Meanwhile, the central belt is expected to hit highs of 25C, with both Edinburgh and Glasgow heating back up. Parts of the Scottish borders could reach as high as 28C.
Most of the UK is shaded in orange and red in anomaly maps for that weekend, indicating temperatures will climb well above the seasonal average.
In total, the GFS model maps show that nine counties, all in England, could see temperatures of 35C or above later this month.
View 4 ImagesMaximum possible temperatures (C) at 6pm on July 26(Image: WXCHARTS)
- Yorkshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Lincolnshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- Herefordshire
- Worcestershire
- Gloucestershire
View 4 ImagesMaximum possible temperatures (C) at 6pm on July 25(Image: WXCHARTS)
The Met Office also expects temperatures to remain above average as we head towards the end of July. However, the national weather agency says there will be an increased chance of thunderstorms.
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The Met Office forecast for July 19 to July 28 states: “Towards the latter part of July, the influence of high pressure may wane somewhat, allowing a greater chance of rain, showers or thunderstorms compared to earlier in the month. Overall, temperatures are expected to remain above average during this period.”
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