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UK heatwave approaches two-week mark
Parts of southern England are nearing a fortnight of heatwave conditions, with the UK experiencing its longest hot spell since 2006. Merryfield in Somerset reached 30.6C on Thursday, marking 12 consecutive days at or above 30C, while Bournemouth and Heathrow have seen elevated temperatures for almost two weeks. The prolonged heat stems from a combination of long-term climate warming and a stubborn "heat dome" caused by a slow-moving high pressure system, and it matters because 2026 is shaping up to be a record-breaking year for UK weather, following unusually hot Mays and Junes.
Some cooler air is expected from the north this weekend, though a few areas may still see further heatwave days, and the 1976 record of 16 consecutive days above 30C is unlikely to be broken. The Met Office notes UK temperatures are now 1.33C warmer on average than in 1961-1990, with extreme heat rising even faster — up 4.5C in Greater London. This is the UK's third heatwave of 2026, with six days above 35C recorded so far and, notably, 35C reached in May, June and July alike for the first time. Unlike 1976, no part of the UK is currently in drought, despite significant rainfall deficits in southern England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In short
- UK heatwave nears two weeks, longest since 2006
- Merryfield, Somerset hit 30.6C; 12 days above 30C recorded
- Climate change and a "heat dome" are driving the prolonged heat
- 1976's 16-day record unlikely to be broken, but no drought yet
Explained simply
A heatwave occurs when temperatures remain significantly warmer than normal for an extended period. Southern England is currently experiencing its longest sustained hot spell since 2006, with areas such as Somerset's Merryfield recording temperatures at or above 30 degrees Celsius for 12 consecutive days.
The extended heat reflects two separate factors: the long-term warming of the planet due to climate change, and a particular weather pattern that has kept warm air trapped over the UK. British temperatures have risen by around 1.3 degrees Celsius on average since the 1960s and 1990s, with the increases being even more pronounced in urban areas such as Greater London.
This current heatwave is the third to strike the UK in 2026, a year marked by unusual heat across multiple months. Temperatures have exceeded 35 degrees Celsius in May, June and July for the first time on record, though the UK is not currently experiencing drought conditions despite some areas recording below-average rainfall.
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