London

Will there be another heatwave in London this year?

Temperatures are set to fall this weekend after the hottest day of the year on Thursday - but will heatwave conditions return later this month?

Will there be another heatwave in London this year?
Will there be another heatwave in London this year?Temperatures are set to fall this weekend after the hottest day of the year on Thursday - but will heatwave conditions return later this month?

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London is currently sweltering during a fifth heatwave of a record breaking summer, with temperatures soaring above 38C on Thursday.

The Met Office has issued a rare amber “extreme heat” warning from 9am until midnight, warning of a risk to life.

The hottest temperature of the year in the UK has been recorded in London, with the mercury hitting 38.1C in Kew Gardens.

<p>LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: Tourists in Westminster fan themselves during the fifth heatwave of the season on August 12, 2026 in London, England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat-health alerts from Tuesday to Friday for nine regions in England, as parts of the country are forecast to see temperatures in excess of 36C during the fifth heatwave of the season. The National Drought Group has declared that two-thirds of England are now officially in drought, with water use restrictions impacting 27 million people. Last month was the driest July ever recorded in the country since records began in 1836. (Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)</p>Tourists in Westminster fan themselves during the fifth heatwave of the seasonGetty

More than 70% of the country is now in drought following a record dry July, and an August that has so far seen just 5% of expected rainfall.

Friday is also expected to be a scorching day, with highs of 33C predicted in the capital.

Temperatures are then due to fall to the mid 20s over the weekend, giving a welcome respite from the extreme heat for many.

But is this the final heatwave of an especially hot summer? Or is more boiling weather round the corner?

Will there be another heatwave in London this year?

According to BBC Weather’s 14-day forecast for London, temperatures aren’t set to exceed 26C from Saturday until at least August 26.

We could also see some much, much anticipated rain - with overcast conditions predicted from Monday August 24 onwards.

<p>A person uses a portable fan on an underground train in central London on June 24</p>A person uses a portable fan on an underground train in central LondonAFP/Getty

The Met Office, however, states that late August could see the return of high pressure, bringing hot and dry conditions yet again.

In their long term forecast, which covers August 28 through to September 11, the national forecaster says that temperatures will likely be above average and that some spells of hot weather and heatwaves are possible.

So while the extremely high temperatures may nearly be over for now, there remains a good possibility of a sixth heatwave later this summer.