Key Facts

• Temperatures in parts of the UK might reach up to 30°C from Friday 22 May to Wednesday 27 May 2026.
• The UK Health Security Agency has issued heat health alerts for much of the Midlands and south-east England during this period.
• A heatwave in the UK means at least three consecutive days of temperatures above a certain threshold, which varies by region (e.g., 28°C in London, 25°C in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
• London and the south Midlands are most likely to experience this heatwave first, with warm weather expected to continue into the middle of next week.
• The warm air is coming from southern Europe and north Africa due to a shift in the jet stream, which will bring warmer southern winds.
• If 30°C is reached before Monday, it will be the earliest 30°C temperature recorded in the UK since 1952.
• Recent wet weather is expected to ease, with most areas becoming dry by Thursday and Friday, although some showers may still occur in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• Spring rainfall has been very low in southern and eastern England this year, with some areas receiving only about a third of their usual amount before May.