BREAKING: UK experiences hottest day of 2026 so far
The UK is experiencing the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures soar to 38.1C in Kew Gardens, according to the Met Office.
It is just the second day this year the country has reached 38C, and is also the fifth hottest day on record.
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 16:24
Comment: Forget the credit crunch, we are now in the climate crunch
We need a Dad’s Army fire brigade to fight back against burning Britain, says Robert Fox.
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 16:15
What is a flash drought? The weather phenomenon affecting two-thirds of Britons
More than 45 million people are now living in areas under drought conditions as August begins with more dry weather and the fifth heatwave of the year.
More than two-thirds of England is affected, and the entirety of Wales. Only the northern-most regions are not been issued official drought status, but remain in the high-risk ‘prolonged dry weather’ category.
The National Drought Group says that most of the country (71.3 per cent) is now experiencing a ‘flash drought’, owing to the prolonged lack of rain paired with back-to-back heatwaves.
But what exactly is a flash drought? You can find out below:
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 16:00
Hottest day of the year declared as temperatures hit 37.8C
Temperatures have now hit 37.8C in parts of England.
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 15:41
60 firefighters tackling large grass fire in West Midlands
Around 60 firefighters are currently battling a large grass fire in the West Midlands.
The fire service said flames are spreading “across roads” in places as the fire covers an area of around 40 acres, including a wood.
Six properties are also affected, West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service said.
There are currently no reported casualties.
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 15:36
UK weather forecast: How long will the latest heatwave last?
As an amber weather warning for “extreme heat” is in force for large parts of the UK there may be some respite with cooler weather and rain forecast in the coming weeks.
Temperatures are expected to hit 35C across the south east and the Midlands and the UK is on track to see its hottest summer since records began.
But by the weekend temperatures are forecast to drop back to about 27C.
The Met Office long range weather forecast suggests weather systems will move across the UK from the Atlantic from next week bringing rain to parts of the country.
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 15:30
Watch: Europe’s biggest heatwave – But why aren’t people wearing sunscreen? Europe’s biggest heatwave – But why aren’t people wearing sunscreen?
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 15:15
In pictures: UK grapples with burning heat as temperatures top 37C
A person uses a fan to cool down in Trafalgar Square (Getty)
A person eats an ice cream in Trafalgar Square (Getty)
Temperatures are above 37C in some places (Getty)
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 15:00
Temperatures exceed 37C in parts of England
Temperatures have risen above 37C in parts of England this afternoon, the Met Office has said.
The mercury reached 37.7C in Charlwood, near Gatwick Airport, and 37.2C in Wisley, Surrey.
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 14:51
This year has seen record number of days above 36C, Met Office says
Temperatures have risen to 36C or higher in a number of places on Thursday, the Met Office said.
The latest provisional figures mean that 2026 has seen four days at or above 36C, the most days in a single year to meet that threshold.
By early afternoon on Thursday, Charlwood in Surrey had reached 36.7C, Wisley in Surrey was 36.5C, while Teddington in London was at 36.1C and Pershore College, Worcestershire, was at 36C, provisional figures from the Met Office show.
Nicole Wootton-Cane13 August 2026 14:35