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This summer is set to be the UK’s hottest since records began, the Met Office says.
Only average conditions are needed for the remainder of August for the month to surpass the record which was set only last year.
July was the busiest month on record for wildfires, statistics have revealed, after firefighters attended 458 cases last month.
In the first 10 days of August, crews have been called out to 185 wildfires, including a large blaze in the New Forest which is in its third day.
Meanwhile, a rare amber warning for extreme heat has been issued by the Met Office as a fifth heatwave looms with the risk of temperatures reaching 38C.
The forecaster warned there was a risk of travel delays, adverse health effects and potential power cuts. The warning covers large parts of England from 9am to midnight on Thursday.
All of England is under an amber heat health alert. Highs of 29C in Cardiff, 28C in Manchester and 25C in London are forecast for Tuesday.
Some 45 million people have been plunged into drought conditions as dry and hot weather continues. The National Drought Group has declared 71.3 per cent of England is now suffering a “flash” drought.
All of England under amber heat health alert
The whole of England is under an amber heat health alert.
The system, run by the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office, is intended to provide early warnings to the health and social care sector, responders, the voluntary and community sector and government departments when adverse temperatures are likely to affect people’s health and wellbeing.
The alerts run until 9pm on Friday.
All of England is under a heat health alert (UKHSA/gov.uk)
Jane Dalton11 August 2026 16:59
Met Office graphic reveals changes caused by heatwaves
A graphic shared by the Met Office has revealed the dramatic change to the UK’s landscape caused by the limited rainfall and exceptional heat.
Holly Evans11 August 2026 16:30
UK farming not prepared for threat of new diseases amid changing weather
Holly Evans11 August 2026 16:10
Lost village is uncovered as drought lowers reservoir water levels
The remains of a lost village that was demolished and flooded to create a reservoir have been revealed as the country continues to face drought conditions.
Low water levels at Rutland Water reservoir in the East Midlands have uncovered the remains of the buildings which were once part of the village of Nether Hambleton.
Residents in the hamlet, along with other small villages including Middle Hambleton, were relocated to other areas before the buildings were demolished and the area flooded in the 1970s to create the reservoir.
The creation of the reservoir, which involved damming the Gwash valley near Empingham, was finished in 1976 and flooding took a further three years, Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust said.
More than 3,000 acres of land were submerged to create one of the largest man-made bodies of water in western Europe, covering more than four square miles, with cottages, farms and farmhouses destroyed to make way for it.
At its maximum, the reservoir is 34 metres deep, but as England continues to face extremely dry conditions, the stonework that was left behind after the demolition of Nether Hambleton has been uncovered by falling water levels.
The remains of Nether Hambleton have been uncovered at theh bottom of a reservoir (PA)
Holly Evans11 August 2026 15:45
Summer 2026 on course to be UK’s hottest on record, says Met Office
The UK is on course to record its warmest summer on record, with only average conditions needed for the remainder of August to surpass the record set only last year.
Provisional Met Office statistics show that the UK’s mean temperature for meteorological summer so far (1 June to 10 August) currently stands at 16.48°C, which is 1.88°C above the 1991-2020 average.
To equal the current UK summer mean temperature record of 16.12°C set in 2025, the remainder of August would only need to average 0.21°C below the 1991-2020 long-term average.
Any warmer than this would establish a new UK record, with records starting in 1884.
Met Office senior scientist Mike Kendon said: “Another record-breaking summer now looks increasingly likely for the UK, following the second-warmest June, and second-warmest July on record and yet another heatwave imminent.
“We’ve seen temperatures hit 38°C in June, 35°C in early and late July, and this threshold is looking to be reached again in the next few days.
“It’s worth remembering we also reached 35°C in late May and easily exceeded both the May and June previous all-time temperature records this year. These statistics are a clear reminder – if one were needed – of the stark changes that we are seeing in the UK’s climate.”
Holly Evans11 August 2026 15:21
In pictures: Parks and fields turn brown due to drought 
An aerial view shows swimmers using Parliament Hill Fields Lido in London (AFP/Getty)
Dry grass in Laindon Hills, Basildon, Essex. (PA)
People experiencing the exposed, cracked, and dried mud bed of Hollow Pond in south-east London (PA)
Holly Evans11 August 2026 15:03
The Met Office has warned that the expected high temperatures will cause a likely increased demand on health and social services.
Elderly people are likely to be particularly vulnerable, with people warned to avoid the sun during the peak of day.
William Spencer, climate and first aid expert at the British Red Cross, said: “While periods of hot weather have become more familiar in recent years, they can still pose serious risks to health. In fact, after prolonged dry and warm conditions, it is more important than ever to follow heat safety advice.
“Simple steps such as wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of fluids, seeking shade during the hottest parts of the day and taking regular breaks from the sun can help protect you and those around you.
“It’s also important to look out for the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly among people who may be more vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat.”
Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are common during heatwaves (Getty/iStock)
Holly Evans11 August 2026 14:40
July busiest month on record for wildfires
July was the busiest month on record for wildfires, statistics have revealed as people living close to a blaze in the New Forest were told to limit their use of water amid fears there could be disruptions to supply.
The National Fire Chiefs Council said on Tuesday its services had responded to 966 wildfires this year, just shy of the 1,017 they attended during a record-breaking year in 2025.
In July alone, firefighters attended 458 wildfires, whilst in the first 10 days of August crews have been called out to 185 wildfires.
Phil Garrigan, chairman of the council, said: “The combination of drought conditions and another heatwave means the risk of fires remains high, and these incidents can place huge demands on firefighters and specialist resources.
“Many wildfires are preventable so we’re asking people to be vigilant and take extra care outdoors while these conditions continue.”
Mr Garrigan’s warning comes as people living close to a blaze, that at one point covered an area equivalent to 140 football pitches, were told to reduce their use of water to ensure there are not disruptions to supply.
Bournemouth Water, which supplies Ringwood and the New Forest, has asked residents to reduce water usage.
Holly Evans11 August 2026 14:05
In pictures: Blaze in the New Forest destroys heathland 
The fire has now entered its third day (Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service)
Firefighters are working ‘tirelessly’ to contain the blaze (PA)
Holly Evans11 August 2026 13:57
Heatwaves set to drive prices higher, food producers warn
Soaring temperatures and droughts across the UK and Europe are set to drive prices higher, food and drink producers have warned.
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said “fruit, vegetable and grain supply” are being hit by recent heatwaves, with these crop shortages then set to feed into supermarket prices.
Economists from the trade group suggested that this will put upward pressure on food inflation going into 2027.
It is understood that the supply of a number of UK-grown fruit and vegetables has already come under pressure, such as broccoli and cherries.
Meanwhile, poor grain harvests are driving the cost of animal feed higher, with predictions that this could lead to more expensive meat as farmers are forced to reduce herd sizes.
It comes ahead of a fresh heatwave in the UK, with the Met Office warning that temperatures will soar to the mid-30s in some areas on Thursday.
Fruit, vegetable and grain supply are being hit by heatwaves (Getty)
Holly Evans11 August 2026 13:34