Further heatwave expected in Milton Keynes area as dry summer continues

Another heatwave is expected in the Milton Keynes area as the hot and dry summer looks set to continue.

Much of southern England is expected to experience what will be a fifth heatwave of an extraordinary summer, with temperatures currently expected to rise as high as 35 degrees Celsius in the Milton Keynes area on Thursday (13/08).

Current forecasts as of 7pm on Monday (10/08) say that heat will build through the week, peaking on Thursday before falling back below the 30 degrees mark on Saturday.

The latest burst of hot weather comes in an exceptionally hot summer in England, which has been experiencing one of the hottest summers on record. Drought has been declared across much of England, with reservoirs at lower levels than usual.

The Met Office reporting that rainfall for England in July was at 10% of the average rainfall for July as tracked against previous data, with the meteorological service reporting that July 2026 was the driest month in Southern England in 190 years of data. It was also the region’s warmest July on record, the UK’s second warmest July on record, and the month in UK history with the most sunshine on record.

Trends continue a very uneven year of weather data, with four months of the year – namely January, February, March and June – reporting above average rainfall, and the other three months of 2026 reporting below average rainfall.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Jason Kelly said, “Heat will gradually build this week, with temperatures reaching into the mid-30s Celsius in what will be a fairly widespread heatwave for England and Wales.

“The driver for this week’s heat is high pressure, this becoming dominant over the next day or so, bringing plenty of sunshine and allowing temperatures to build day-by-day. Southerly or southeasterly winds will also tap into the hot conditions over Europe, meaning we’re looking at further notable heat for many this week, likely peaking on Thursday.”

The UK Health Security Agency, which looks at health impacts in England, has issued Heat Health Alerts, with forecast temperatures likely to cause an increased demand on health and social care services.

Advice issued for keeping safe in the heat include keeping out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am-3pm when the sun is the strongest, drinking plenty of fluids and closing the curtains in rooms that face the sun. It is also advised that if you are going out, take water with you, keep in the shade, wear sunscreen and wear a wide brimmed hat.