THE SUMMER of 2026 continues to be a history maker, and new records have been broken.
2026 has officially become the year with the most days hitting 34C or higher in history, beating the legendary summers of 1976 and 2020.
The beach at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis is busy with sunbathers soaking up sunshine Credit: Alamy
Thursday (July 9) saw thermometers climb past 34C for the eighth time this year, and forecasters say we aren’t done with the warm conditions just yet.
The UK is currently experiencing its third heatwave in as many months.
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Temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday, widely exceeding 30C across the country, while some spots in England could even hit 36C.
When will it rain?
If you’re waiting for a downpour to cool down the garden or fill up the paddling pool, you might be waiting a little longer.
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The Met Office has said that while temperatures will peak over Thursday and Friday, the heat is set to linger.
In the UK, an official heatwave is declared when a location records at least three consecutive days where the daily maximum temperature meets or exceeds a set threshold.
This temperature threshold is tailored to the local climate of each county, ranging from 25C in parts of Scotland and northern England, up to 28C in London and the southeast.
South East England was the first area to trigger official heatwave status earlier this week after three days above 28C, and more regions have joined the list as the week rolls on.
But by the weekend, the air will turn increasingly muggy and humid, bringing a growing risk of sudden showers or isolated thunderstorms.
By early next week, the intense heat will back off slightly as temperatures fall, but forecasters say many areas will stay dry, bright and warm.
The Met Office says England could experience “tropical nights” where temperatures refuse to drop below 20C.
Which areas of the UK are most likely to get rain?
It’s a tale of two Britains right now as a stark north-south divide splits the weather map.
While southern England bakes in highs of 32C to 35C, Scotland and parts of the north have mostly dodged the heat, experiencing stronger winds and outbreaks of rain.
But by the weekend, the sizzling southern air is expected to finally push its way northwards, meaning more northern regions will get a taste of the summer heat.
But it comes with a catch, and rising humidity brings a much higher chance of heavy showers or lightning storms.
Meanwhile, the south and Midlands will stay mostly dry and hot, though isolated downpours could still burst the sunny bubble.
Amber heat health alerts have been in place for the Midlands and southern England from 9am on Wednesday, July 8 until 9pm on Jattvibeday, July 12.
Yellow alerts cover Yorkshire and northern England during the same timeframe.
What is the Met Office’s long-range forecast for the rest of the month?
Looking further ahead, the Met Office’s long-range forecast suggests the rest of July is going to be a mixed bag.
From Tuesday, July 14 to Thursday, July 23, high pressure will initially keep things broadly settled for most of the UK.
But don’t rule out the chance of thunderstorms marching across the Channel from France to shock the south.
By the weekend of July 18 and 19, a northerly wind will make things turn more unsettled, bringing a risk of rain, showers, and rumbling storms, and dropping temperatures back down to a more comfortable average.
From Friday, July 24 to Friday, August 7, spells of low pressure mean unsettled conditions and thunderstorms will become even more likely across the country.
But beach weather may still stick around yet, and the Met Office says dry, sunny interludes are most likely to hold on in the south and southeast, with temperatures remaining warm or very warm.
