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UK Heatwave: Drought Fears Grow as Fifth Heatwave Builds

Published 07:02 9 Aug 2026 BST

Updated 05:43 9 Aug 2026 BST

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UK Heatwave: Drought Fears Grow as Fifth Heatwave Builds

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UK Heatwave: Drought Fears Grow as Fifth Heatwave Builds

Drought is likely to be declared across more of England this week as a fifth UK heatwave builds, with forecasters warning temperatures could climb as high as 35C by midweek and no significant rain on the way for much of the country.

What the UK heatwave forecast shows

Sunday is set to be the hottest day of the weekend, with south-east England reaching over 30C and possibly 33C - a reading that would take the UK past the record for the number of days topping 30C somewhere in the country in a single year, the previous best being 34 days in 1995, BBC Weather reported. After a cooler, showery Monday - Met Office forecast maps show around 10 areas including Belfast, Newcastle and Manchester catching rain - temperatures rise again from Tuesday and peak on Thursday at up to 35C in the south-east. The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat health alerts for most of England until 21:00 BST on Tuesday.

Public water supplies remain under increasing pressure with continued dry weather and high demand.

Environment Agency

The Environment Agency has suggested "several areas" of England could enter drought status this week as reservoirs run low. With the heat set to build again, now is the time to read up on how to keep cool in a heatwave. The health alerts are expected to be updated in the coming days, and if Thursday hits 35C it will be the fourth consecutive month that figure has been recorded.

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