Cooler for some this weekend but heatwave continues

A heatwave continued to grip parts of the UK, with Friday seeing record-breaking temperatures in England and Wales. Coton-in-the Elms in Derbyshire recorded England's highest temperature at 35.2C, while Usk in Monmouthshire reached 34.3C in Wales. Scotland saw its highest temperature of 29.7C in Threave, Dumfries and Galloway, and Northern Ireland peaked at 27.4C in Killowen, Co. Down.

Looking ahead to the weekend, a shift in conditions is expected for some. A brisk north-easterly wind will bring cooler temperatures to eastern parts of England, potentially offering some relief. However, the west Midlands, southeast Wales, and parts of southern England could still experience highs of up to 33C on Saturday. Sunday is expected to see temperatures a few degrees lower still in England and Wales as the wind strengthens, although southern England might still reach 30C. Scotland and Northern Ireland anticipate more cloud cover, with showers in eastern Scotland expected to clear by Sunday.

Amidst the high temperatures and concerns over water resources, millions of people in southeast England are facing hosepipe bans. Anglian Water has introduced its first ban in a decade for customers in the east of England, effective Saturday. Southern Water has also implemented restrictions for one million households in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with South East Water and Cambridge Water also enacting their own measures.

These restrictions come despite a winter that was, overall, 13% wetter than average for the UK. However, rainfall distribution varied significantly by region. England experienced 42% more rainfall than average, while Scotland received 14% less. The subsequent spring saw a UK-wide deficit of 14% below the long-term average, with southern England receiving only 50% of its average rainfall, and some areas in the southeast and east receiving as little as a third.