UK weather: Britons to finally see cooler temperatures this weekend as heatwave ends after hottest day of year

After five punishing heatwaves this summer, Britons can finally look forward to some respite as the country's hot spell draws to a close.

Thursday saw mercury levels provisionally climb to 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London, surpassing the previous annual high of 38C recorded in Norfolk back in June.

It marked the fifth hottest day ever documented in the UK, with the record being July 19 2022 when temperatures at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, reached 40.3C.

Across central and southern England, a staggering 40 locations registered readings of 36C or above, while Pershore in Worcestershire matched the earlier Norfolk peak at 38C.

An amber extreme heat warning covering large parts of England remained active throughout yesterday, cautioning that people faced serious health risks, including sunburn and heat exhaustion.

Today is set to be the last day of sweltering conditions for most, with forecasters predicting highs of 34C across parts of south-east England.

Amber heat-health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency remain in place across all of England until 9pm, warning of continued significant pressure on health and social care services.

Northern and western parts of the country are already experiencing noticeably lower temperatures compared with Thursday's peak.

A cold front is gradually ushering in fresher air, which should make conditions feel considerably less humid by tomorrow.

Over the weekend, southern areas could still see the thermometer nudge above 30C, but a steady return to more typical summer temperatures is expected across all regions over the coming days.

This summer has shattered multiple benchmarks, with 2026 now holding the record for the greatest number of days reaching or surpassing 36C four in total, and 37C, with three such days logged.

The year has also equalled 2022's tally of two days hitting 38C.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• More than 1,000 wildfires blaze across England and Wales this year - already matching 2025's record-breaking total
• UK records hottest day of the year as temperatures reach sweltering 38.1C
• Met Office considers issuing red 'extreme heat warning' across Britain while nation enjoys 'incredible summer'

Looking ahead to the weekend, Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong noted that overnight temperatures in eastern areas would remain elevated, with a widespread tropical night likely where readings stay above 20C.

There is also a possibility of thunderstorms developing across central and south-eastern England from Friday afternoon into Saturday, though forecasters stress these remain highly uncertain.

Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates acknowledged the public's growing frustration with the prolonged dry conditions.

He said: "Many people are desperate for some rain to alleviate the impacts of the prolonged dry spell.

"There is a chance of some thunderstorms developing in central and southeastern parts of England later on Friday into Saturday, however these are very uncertain."

A yellow thunderstorm warning was also issued for Northern Ireland, with the risk of lightning strikes and flooding.

Mr Keates cautioned that the next significant rainfall for the driest areas might not materialise until towards the end of next week, when a low-pressure system could approach from the south-west.

Saturday's forecast brings a mix of sunny intervals and scattered showers, with the heaviest downpours expected in south-eastern areas.

Sunday should prove largely dry with decent spells of sunshine, although rain is likely to reach north-western parts later in the day.

Conditions are expected to deteriorate on Monday as cloud thickens and rain spreads from the west, accompanied by increasingly breezy weather.

A front tracking south-eastwards on Monday and Tuesday could deliver some rainfall to northern regions, though Keates warned that "amounts of rain in the south will be small at most and the majority will fall over Northern Ireland and Scotland."

For those parched areas of England and Wales longing for a proper soaking, the most promising prospect appears to lie towards the close of next week, though details remain uncertain.