Is another heatwave coming? Latest Met Office prediction and UK weather forecast for August

TEMPERATURES are cooling down in the UK – but the Met Office predicts that the hotter weather could return in the coming weeks. The summer of 2026 has already delivered several heatwaves, and the driest July on record across southern England and Wales. With high pressure likely in the second half of August, forecasters suggest more “very warm or hot” weather is on the cards Credit: PA High pressure building from the Atlantic and southern Europe is expected to settle over the UK Credit: PA And with high pressure likely in the second half of August, forecasters suggest more “very warm or hot” weather is on the cards. With the UK having already gone through four official heatwaves so far, could a fifth be on the way later this month? Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! What is a heatwave? A single hot afternoon does not automatically mean the UK is in a heatwave. The Met Office defines an official heatwave as a period when a location records at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding a specific temperature threshold. Because the climate varies across the UK, these thresholds are broken down by region and county: 25C: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, northern England, and parts of the South West. 26C to 27C: Central, eastern, and southern counties. 28C: Greater London and surrounding Home Counties. If temperatures reach or exceed these daily limits for three full days in a row, an official heatwave is declared for that area. Is another heatwave coming? The Met Office says that the next window for potential heatwaves opens in the second half of August, with temperatures rising from the middle of the month onwards. Most read in The Sun While conditions remain changeable in the northwest, high pressure building from the Atlantic and southern Europe is expected to settle over the UK. Southern, central, and eastern parts of England stand the highest chance of seeing temperatures climb into heatwave territory. Conditions could turn “very warm or hot” between August 10 and August 19, and temperatures are set to remain high through to early September. Towards the end of August, the Met Office explains that “some spells of hot weather and heatwaves are possible, especially in the south.” Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna added that rainfall totals for the second half of August are likely to remain below normal, alongside a “potential for further spells of hot weather at times.” Wildfires have broken out across multiple locations during the prolonged dry spell, with firefighters tackling blazes in the likes of Barr Beacon, Birmingham, Dunwich, Suffolk, and the Cairngorms. This has prompted major supermarkets, including Asda and Sainsbury’s, to pull disposable barbecues from shelves to prevent further fires. What is the Met Office’s long-range forecast? The latest Met Office long-range outlook points towards prolonged settled weather and above-average temperatures as August progresses. Here is the official forecast breakdown: Monday, August 10 – Wednesday, August 19 “A relatively settled start to the period, with mainly dry conditions on Monday, although with scattered showers across northern areas. “Then through the following week, more changeable conditions are likely across northwestern parts, with some spells of rain and stronger winds interspersed by drier periods. “Whilst southeastern areas will generally see more settled and drier conditions. Further into August, lower pressure may start to track further south or east. “This means there is a greater chance of frontal systems or thundery interludes to affect southern and eastern areas in comparison to recent weeks, though rainfall amounts could be quite variable with some areas still seeing relatively little. “For the most part, temperatures look to remain above average, especially in the south, and perhaps turning very warm or hot.” Thursday, August 20 – Thursday, September 3 “The broad theme of high pressure remaining in place at least close to the UK seems most probable, with occasional more unsettled or changeable interludes, either resulting from Atlantic frontal systems or thundery plumes. “This means that rainfall amounts overall are more likely to be below normal than above. “Temperatures will probably be above average and some spells of hot weather and heatwaves are possible, especially in the south.” Comment now