Parts of UK may get ‘brief respite’ from scorching weather

Light rain and clouds are possible in parts of the UK as the country swelters in another heatwave with emergency services warning of “extreme” wildfire risks.

The Met Office said it will be windy in some places on Monday with cooler temperatures in the east, but warm temperatures in the west.

Parts of the country might be hit with a little rain, but the forecaster said the scorching conditions experienced by much of the UK are due to last into the coming week.

Meteorologist Honor Criswick said: “For the time being it looks like the heatwave is set to continue, but depending on where you are, there may be a brief respite in the heat to come.”

Natural England’s Fire Severity Index has put much of England at “very high” risk of wildfires, with some areas in southern England and the Midlands at “exceptional” risk.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue has been called out to two moorland wildfires in recent days, declaring a major incident due to the impact of one fire at Tintwistle Moor on Sunday night.

Area manager Ellie Gillatt said: “Firefighters continue to face challenging conditions as they work to tackle the wildfire and protect the surrounding infrastructure and environment.”

Meanwhile, London Fire Brigade (LFB) dealt with a blaze involving shrubbery at Stratford Station on Friday evening, which caused rail line closures.

Assistant commissioner Tom Goodall said there had been no injuries from the fire, but rail disruption was expected to continue into the morning.

“We have worked with the local authority and our other partners to set up two rest centres for residents who have been evacuated from their homes,” he said.

“They are all being supported at this time and we are hopeful that the majority of them will be able to return home tonight.”

The LFB confirmed one house was alight, while the gardens of around 30 properties were also affected.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to a “large fire in the open” on the South Downs near Eastbourne on Saturday, while teams also tackled a blaze at Devil’s Dyke in South Downs National Park in West Sussex.

Dave Swallow, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) wildfire deputy lead and lead tactical adviser, warned that the dry, sunny and hot conditions “significantly increase wildfire risk”.

The Met Office has revealed that record-breaking temperatures have led to 2026 becoming the first year to record 35C on six separate days.

This broke the previous record set in 1976 and 2020 when five days were recorded with temperatures over 35C.

This year is also the first to see temperatures of 35C or higher in three calendar months, and broke the record for most temperatures of 34C or higher, with nine so far this summer.

On Sunday, two men died after entering the water to help two children who had come into difficulty at Seaton Carew beach in Hartlepool.

Superintendent Glen Ward, of Cleveland Police, said: “We know it is inviting in the hot weather, but we would encourage people to refrain from entering any open water at all. Today we have sadly seen the true tragedy that can happen as a result.”

It followed a number of water-related deaths in recent days amid the scorching weather.

Derbyshire Constabulary announced that the body of an 18-year-old man had been recovered from the water near a weir at the Darley Abbey Mills complex after two teenagers got into difficulty.

Greater Manchester Police said an 18-year-old male died at Dovestone Reservoir, Oldham, on Friday.