England and Wales braced for fourth heatwave as temperatures could hit 35C next week

Temperatures could surge back above 30C within days, potentially triggering a fourth heatwave this year after the UK recorded 30C or more for 11 consecutive days. The UK is currently in the midst of its third heatwave of 2026, with southern areas expected to remain above 30C until the weekend. Met Office forecasters expect the mercury to drop over the weekend, with 26C highs in southern areas and 24C up north on Sunday, potentially ending the current heatwave. However, weather models now suggest it won't be long before temperatures rise into the 30s once more. The GFS model shows highs of 30C and 31C in eastern, western and southern England next Thursday. For next Friday, the maps show highs of 32C in southern and south-eastern regions, with 31C in western areas. Conditions are then expected to really warm up on Saturday next week, with potential highs of 35C in southern and south-eastern England, 33C and 34C widely across central areas, 32C as far north as Yorkshire, and Wales creeping to 30C. Temperature anomaly maps for that Saturday show huge swathes of England and Wales shaded in deep red, indicating temperatures well above the seasonal average, while parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland are shaded in blue, where temperatures are expected to be below average. The GFS model maps show 17 counties in England could see 34C or more. David Hayter, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said: “Every day for the last 11 days somewhere in the UK has seen temperatures reach or exceed 30C. The high pressure which has brought this prolonged fine spell will continue for the next week or so at least, but will shift enough to enable a more northerly flow that will introduce a cooler feel that will end the run of 30C days. However, we are still likely to see some locations remain in heatwave conditions to finish [this] week.” Although the Met Office expects the weather to cool off this weekend, forecasters say conditions will likely turn “very warm again in parts of the south” before the weekend after. There is also a risk of thunderstorms towards the end of next week. As the warm weather continues, millions of drivers are expected to hit the roads over the weekend.