UK set for 34-35C peak Monday and Tuesday after 30C Friday

Temperatures rose above 30C in parts of the UK on Friday. Saturday is expected to bring highs of 27 or 28C in south-east England, with most places dry and sunny and only an isolated shower possible. Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and northern and western England are forecast to reach afternoon highs of 16-24C on Saturday.

Temperatures are forecast to rise on Sunday, peaking at 27-31C in parts of the Midlands, Wales, and southern England. Much of Scotland and Northern Ireland are forecast to reach 20-22C on Sunday, away from the far north.

High UV and pollen levels are anticipated in many places on Sunday. A Met Office amber warning for extreme heat will come into force across much of southern and eastern England and parts of south Wales from 01:00 BST on Monday. The warning remains valid until 23:59 on Tuesday.

Temperatures are set to peak at 34 or 35C in south-east England on Monday and Tuesday. Overnight temperatures are expected to remain above 20C in some locations on Monday and Tuesday. This is the sixth amber extreme heat warning the Met Office has issued since they were introduced in 2021.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued separate amber and yellow heat health alerts across large swathes of England. May was the UK's warmest May on record. The developing El Niño is not responsible for the current hot spell, with peak effects expected later in 2026 and into 2027.

The summer solstice was published about three days before the article date of 20 June 2026. The article was published 24 minutes before the stated current date of 20 June 2026.