The warmer spell follows a summer in which the UK recorded its highest average temperature since national records began nearly 150 years ago. According to the Met Office, the mean temperature across June, July and August reached 16.5C, exceeding the previous seasonal record of 16.1C set in 2025.
Southerly Winds Bring Warmer Air Across England and Wales
Temperatures across much of England and Wales are expected to rise above the seasonal average as southerly winds draw hot and humid air northwards from continental Europe. According to the forecast reported by The Independent, south-east England could reach 27C or 28C on Sunday. Central-southern England and the Welsh Marches are also expected to experience temperatures widely in the mid-20s.
South-west England and eastern Wales could see highs of about 25C, while northern England is forecast to remain cooler, with temperatures generally reaching the low 20s. Eastern areas of Northern Ireland and Scotland could see afternoon temperatures of around 21C or 22C.
Cloud and outbreaks of rain across England and Wales are expected to clear towards the north-east by early afternoon, allowing brighter and warmer conditions to develop behind them. Scotland and Northern Ireland, meanwhile, are forecast to remain windier and cloudier, with occasional rain.
The warmer conditions are expected to be short-lived. The Met Office forecast indicates that Monday will bring rain followed by showers moving south-eastwards across parts of the country, with gales possible towards the north-west. Tuesday is expected to begin with further showers before conditions gradually improve. Wednesday is forecast to be mostly dry and bright, while Thursday could start dry before rain and stronger winds move in from the west.
Record Summer Brought Five Heatwaves and Temperatures Above 38C
Sunday’s warmth comes only days after the Met Office provisionally confirmed that the UK had experienced its hottest summer on record. According to the forecaster, five heatwaves occurred between May and August, leaving most of the country in drought conditions and contributing to wildfires and travel disruption.
The highest temperature of the summer was recorded at Kew Gardens on 13 August, when the mercury reached 38.1C. That remained below the UK’s all-time record of 40.3C, measured in Lincolnshire in July 2022. Several other temperature records were nevertheless reached during the 2026 summer. Temperatures of at least 37C were recorded on three separate days.
Before 2026, the UK had recorded temperatures above 37C on only nine occasions. Three such instances occurred during this summer alone. The latest spell of warmth therefore arrives against the backdrop of an unusually hot season, although the forecast suggests that Sunday’s higher temperatures will not persist. By Monday, the weather is expected to become cooler and more changeable as rain and showers spread south-eastwards.
