Parts of southern England have recorded an unbroken run of 13 days above their heatwave criteria as the UK approaches a fortnight of scorching conditions, with no immediate end in sight.
Merryfield in Somerset hit 30.6C (87.1F) on Thursday, marking the 12th consecutive day the UK has seen temperatures at or above 30C – the longest such spell since 2006. In Bournemouth and Heathrow, temperatures above 26C and 28C respectively have persisted for nearly two weeks. While slightly cooler air is expected from the north this weekend, some locations may still see a few more days of heatwave.
“Southern England has seen 13 days of heatwave conditions, with 12 consecutive days above 30C – the longest such spell since 2006.”
Despite the intensity, the 1976 record of 16 consecutive days above 30C appears unlikely to be broken. But comparisons with that historic summer are already being drawn: although 1976 holds the longest heatwave, this year has recorded higher extreme temperatures and more "very hot days".
The length of this heatwave has been its most striking feature. Several factors have combined to create it. According to the Met Office, UK temperatures are now on average 1.33C warmer than during 1961-1990, but the hottest days have warmed three times faster – by 4.5C in Greater London. The jet stream has meandered well north of the UK, allowing high pressure to build and warm air to drift in from the south. A slow-moving high pressure system has created a "heat dome", where air sinks, compresses and heats as it hits the ground, drying out and preventing cloud formation – so strong sunshine continues to heat the ground further.
This is the third heatwave of 2026; at the same point last year, the UK had also just experienced its third heatwave of 2025. However, last July some southern areas saw four consecutive days above 30C – this July has already reached 12 such days and 13 days of heatwave criteria across parts of England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have also had heatwave conditions this week, but with less intensity and shorter duration.
The dryness has been as notable as the heat. Wisley in Surrey has recorded no rainfall in 30 days. Most of Wales and Northern Ireland have rainfall deficits, and parts of western Scotland have also been affected.
2026 is already shaping up to be an extraordinary year for weather records, having broken monthly temperature records in both May and June by more than two degrees. The question now is how long the heat can last – and whether the climate trends driving it will only accelerate.
