UK TEMPERATURES TO DROP THIS WEEKEND BEFORE REBOUND NEXT WEEK

Temperatures across the United Kingdom are set to fall this weekend as a northerly wind brings cooler conditions to Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. Northern Scotland could experience a temperature drop of up to 7°C compared with Thursday, whilst north-west England will see reductions of around 5°C by Saturday. The Midlands, Wales and southern England will also experience some relief, though some areas will remain above the heatwave threshold and cooler nights are expected to return.

The cooling is temporary, with temperatures forecast to rise again next week, potentially reaching 30°C in southern England. This would extend the heatwave into a third week for parts of England and Wales, according to weather forecasts. Persistent dry conditions have contributed to hosepipe bans affecting over eight million households across the country. The Met Office has stated that climate extremes are becoming increasingly common. Separately, firefighters have warned that wildfires continuing to burn across the UK could take days to extinguish, with one major blaze that broke out on Saturday in moorland in Greater Manchester still being fought.

The sustained heatwave period has prompted widespread concern about water supplies and fire risk. Official figures suggest that dry conditions and elevated temperatures have stretched resources across multiple sectors. Forecasters indicate that the pattern of temperature fluctuation expected over the coming weeks reflects broader shifts in weather systems affecting the British Isles.