Weekend to bring significant drop in temperatures as heatwave ends

Temperatures are set to tumble this weekend as the fifth heatwave to scorch the UK this year comes to an end.

After Thursday marked the hottest day of 2026 so far, conditions will be noticeably cooler on Saturday and Sunday.

Temperatures will fall by 10-15 degrees Celsius by the end of the weekend, bringing them much closer to the seasonal average.

The change in weather pattern that is bringing this cooler air will also result in an increased chance of rain, including in areas currently in drought.

Friday became the 39th day this year in which somewhere in the UK hit 30C (86F) or higher as the latest bout of extreme heat clung on in southern areas.

This smashed the previous UK record of 30 days set in 1995.

It was also only the ninth time since records began where a temperature of 37C (99F) or more has been registered.

Three of those occasions have been in 2026, sending a clear message that our climate is changing rapidly.

The impact of the heat has been seen and felt in most aspects of daily life, from raging wildfires and transport delays to an increase in heat-related deaths, and for many the cooldown will be welcomed.

The change is being brought about by a cold front that has been moving south-eastwards through Friday and Friday night, introducing winds from a cooler north-westerly direction, as well as bringing a few showers.

While a few spots in south-east England could still reach their heatwave temperature threshold values of 27 or 28 Celsius on Saturday, many areas will be 10-13 degrees Celsius cooler than on Thursday.

Much of the UK, away from the south-east, will see highs of 16-24C.

These values are around average for mid-August but, given the exceptional heat experienced by many areas so far this summer, may feel comparatively cool.

Most areas will be dry with sunny spells, although a few showers are likely in north-west Scotland and East Anglia.

Most forecasts show that the cooler and more changeable spell of weather is set to continue for the rest of the month.

Some forecasts are also hinting at the potential for more significant rain-bearing low pressure systems tracking closer to the UK.

Temperatures are therefore more likely to stay closer to the seasonal average.

Some spells of warmer cannot be ruled out, especially in the south, but it looks unlikely at this time that further heatwaves will build this month.

While the meteorological summer comes to a close at the end of August it is not unusual for the UK for experience bouts of heat in September.

You can follow the latest prospects in our monthly outlook.