Netweather Forecasts and Blogs

Saturday squeezes what is left of the heat into the south coast, reaching 29 to 30C from the Solent to Sussex. Amber heat-health alerts remain across six English regions, while Sunday brings rain arriving from the west.

Friday should still reach 34 to 35C in the south-east, ten to twelve degrees above the mid-August average. Rain shows hints of returning from the weekend, though with almost three quarters of England in drought after the driest July since 1836, a few millimetres will not go far.

Amber heat warnings cover seven English regions, with 36-38C likely inland. Drought grips Wales and most of England, and although temperatures will fall from their peak today, no significant rain is expected before the weekend ends.

Wednesday brings 34 to 35C to England and Wales, but Thursday is the peak, with amber extreme heat warnings and 36 to 38C. The heat then breaks west to east, splitting the country by Friday. Nights bring little relief, and the drought endures.

Heat builds through the week to a peak on Thursday, when 38C is possible over London and the Thames valley under an almost cloudless sky. Amber heat-health alerts cover most of England until Friday when cooler air will arrive from the north-west.