Arabic version: موجة الحر في المملكة المتحدة تقترب من نهايتها مع انخفاض الحرارة في عطلة نهاية الأسبوع

According to BBC News, temperatures could reach 34C (93F) in parts of south-east England on Friday as the UK’s fifth widespread heatwave of the year continues. For most people, however, it is expected to be the final day of sweltering conditions before a rapid cooldown over the weekend. Amber heat-health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency remain in force across England until 21:00 BST, warning of significant ongoing impacts on health and social care services.

Thursday was the hottest day of 2026, with Kew Gardens in London recording 38.1C. It was the fifth hottest UK day on record. The temperature has reached 38C twice this year, following a reading of 38.0C at Lingwood, Norfolk, on 26 June. It is only the second time that 38C has been reached twice in the same year, after 2022.

Although the Met Office amber warning for extreme heat expired at midnight, central and eastern England are set to remain hot on Friday. Long sunny spells could bring 29-34C across much of the Midlands, Lincolnshire, East Anglia and the south-east, with many places experiencing a third consecutive day above official heatwave thresholds. Northern and western areas will be cooler, generally reaching the low to mid-20s Celsius, while a few showers could become heavy and thundery.

By Saturday, temperatures in south-eastern England will mostly fall below the 28C heatwave threshold. Fresher air is forecast to reach all parts of the UK by Sunday, when temperatures should be near average at about 17-26C. Most areas are expected to stay dry over the weekend, extending a prolonged lack of notable rain in southern England. Wisley in Surrey could reach 60 days without rain by Sunday. Rain-bearing fronts are forecast to approach from the north-west next week, with Scotland and Northern Ireland expected to see most rain on Monday.