UK heatwave peaks with 38.1C at Kew Gardens; cooldown expected

London's Kew Gardens recorded a scorching 38.1C on Thursday, marking the hottest day of 2026 in the UK and the fifth hottest on record. This is the second time this year temperatures have reached 38C, a threshold previously only met twice in the same year back in 2022.

The Met Office's amber warning for extreme heat, which covered much of England on Thursday, has now expired. However, the sweltering conditions are set to linger across central and eastern parts of the country on Friday. Temperatures are expected to climb between 29C and 34C in the Midlands, Lincolnshire, East Anglia, and the southeast, signifying a third consecutive day above official heatwave thresholds for many.

Elsewhere, a noticeable cooldown is anticipated as cooler air begins to move into northern and western regions. Despite this shift, temperatures are generally expected to remain above the seasonal average, widely reaching the low to mid-20s Celsius. While many areas will enjoy dry weather with sunshine and some cloud, there's a possibility of heavy, thundery showers in isolated locations.