British weather: UK has more days above 30C this year than 1976 - with no significant rain forecast this week

The UK has now had 25 days this year when temperatures have exceeded 30C as the country experiences its third heatwave of the summer, the Met Office has said.

This is one more day than the infamous year of 1976, which lingers in the memory for some due to its heatwave and drought conditions.

Back then, crops were hit, landscapes left parched and people forced to use standpipes in the street.

Tuesday's temperatures peaked at 30.2C in Kew Gardens, west London, which made it the 10th successive day that 30C had been exceeded somewhere in the country.

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Currently, there is no significant rainfall forecast for this week and some areas are set to go almost a month without any measurable wet weather.

The heatwave is expected to go on for much of the UK this week, with temperatures peaking on Wednesday with possible highs of 33C in some parts of southern-central England, according to the Met Office.

Sky's weather producer Dr Chris England said: "Heatwave conditions will continue for parts of England and Wales through the week, but don't expect the extremes of last week.

"Temperatures will drop a little over the weekend, down to the mid to high twenties. It'll be blustery in the South over the next few days, which will temper the heat somewhat, while an onshore flow will keep it much cooler near many North Sea coasts."

He added: "Most places will be dry this week, with plenty of sunshine, but central and eastern parts will often be rather grey for a time during the morning, with some eastern coasts staying dull throughout.

"The South West may catch a few showers - perhaps thundery - on Wednesday and Thursday. No sign of any significant rain in the forecast. The Met Office said some areas have had no rain for 24 days."

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Among other records set this summer, there were six separate days of temperatures of 35C or higher for the first time, and there was a June record of 37.7C set in Lingwood, Norfolk.

During June's heatwave, there were seven days in a row where temperatures peaked above 30C.

There have now been 25 days in 2026 - consecutive and non-consecutive - when that temperature level has been exceeded somewhere in the UK - seven in May, eight in June and 10 in July.

The record was set in 1995 when the country had 34 days of 30C-plus temperatures. In that year, while the use of standpipes was avoided, water tankers had to be used in some areas where a lack of rain resulted in shortages.

This summer's third heatwave has left fire and rescue crews tackling wildfires across England and Wales.

And the hot, dry weather has also led water firms to announce hosepipe bans for the east of England, Cambridge, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and areas of Kent.

Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency has yellow heat health alerts in place for much of England, which began at 9am on Tuesday and will run until 9pm on Friday.

The regions affected include the East Midlands, East of England, London, North West, South East, South West and West Midlands.

Yellow alerts are issued during periods of heat which would unlikely impact most people, but those who are particularly vulnerable (including the elderly with multiple health conditions and on multiple medications) and who are likely to struggle to cope, and where action is required by the health and social care sector.

Meanwhile, climatologists are predicting that the kind of temperatures the UK has been experiencing could become the new normal for summer over the next few decades as a result of climate change.

(c) Sky News 2026: British weather: UK has more days above 30C this year than 1976 - with no significa