Britons are experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures this weekend and next week, with the Met Office predicting highs of 26C in London by Tuesday. This continued heat follows Britain's warmest summer on record, which prompted widespread hosepipe bans affecting 30 million people and drought declarations across three-quarters of England and all of Wales. The persistent warmth matters because it underscores the broader pattern of exceptional heat affecting water supplies and environmental conditions.

The coming week will see temperatures of around 21C today, 24C in eastern areas tomorrow, and potentially 26C in London on Tuesday, alongside variable weather including rain on Sunday and Tuesday. This summer recorded 16.5C as its average temperature—1.9C above the long-term average and surpassing the previous record set in 2025. The season saw 33 days above 30C (compared to 22 in summer 1976) and temperatures reached 35C during May through August for the first time. A Super El Niño, a naturally occurring phenomenon strengthening global temperatures, has been underway since June and is expected to continue affecting weather patterns into next year. The Environment Agency has stated that above-average rainfall over the next seven months will be necessary for all areas to emerge from drought by spring.