The Met Office has issued a warning about the possibility of temperatures reaching 35C on Wednesday, with weather maps indicating that over 20 counties could experience temperatures above 30C.
Tuesday will see a rise in hot weather conditions, especially in the southeast of England, where temperatures are expected to reach 29C or 30C before peaking on Wednesday.
According to a Met Office forecast map for 4pm on Wednesday, temperatures could reach 34C in Cambridge, Norfolk, and Suffolk, with London and the Home Counties experiencing temperatures of 33C.
The anticipated high temperatures are likely to exceed the threshold for the UK’s fourth heatwave of the year. Health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the South East, East Midlands, East of England, and London, with yellow heat health alerts issued for the South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
These alerts will be in effect from 9am on Wednesday, July 29, until 9am on Thursday, July 30. At present, there are no alerts for the North East, North West of England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
The Met Office has mentioned that if temperatures remain high enough to meet local thresholds for three consecutive days, another heatwave could be recorded. So far in 2026, the UK has experienced three defined heatwaves in May, June, and July.
Gregory Wolverson, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, stated, “This upcoming heatwave will be brief but intense, with temperatures rising rapidly in the first half of the week, especially in the southeast. By Wednesday, some regions may see temperatures in the mid-30s, potentially meeting the official heatwave criteria by Thursday in parts of the southeast.”
He added, “Elsewhere, the weather will be more changeable, with cooler and unsettled conditions arriving sooner from the north and west, bringing a mix of sunshine and showers. Northern areas might experience heavier showers with a slight risk of isolated thunderstorms throughout the week.”
