Dry Weather to Linger Across UK as Heatwave Ends
The heatwave may be over, but the UK isn’t saying goodbye to the sun just yet. Dry weather is expected to hold for most of the country this week, though a few corners could see brief interruptions.
After days of sweltering conditions, temperatures are now easing. The mercury could still creep up to 27C in parts of England on Monday and Tuesday, but a cool north-easterly breeze is tempering conditions further north and east, where highs will hover in the low 20s.
It’s not all sunshine. South-west England and south Wales may catch some showers and even the odd rumble of thunder early in the week. Elsewhere, skies remain largely clear and dry.
By the Bank Holiday weekend, forecasters are eyeing a shift. Wetter and windier weather looks set to push in from the Atlantic, breaking the current spell of settled conditions.
Heatwave officially over
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst confirmed the scorching run has ended: “Where people get the sunshine, it’ll still feel fairly pleasant, it’ll just be a bit chillier than it has been of late.”
After weeks of warmth, this week brings a change in the air. Expect largely settled conditions, but with a gradual dip in temperatures, especially across the north and east
️ Cooler days
Chilly nightsA gentle reminder that autumn is waiting in the wings pic.twitter.com/ARA2WHmok4
— Met Office (@metoffice) August 17, 2025
He added: “We had a couple of cooler days, yesterday (and) the day before. The odd spot here and there might be just holding on to a heatwave, but I think most places have dipped below their criteria and may have sort of come up again. I would say (the heatwave) finished over the weekend.”
Sunday’s top temperature reached 27.7 °C in Somerset, with similar highs in West Sussex and Inverness.
Health alerts remain
Despite the cooler trend, yellow heat health alerts remain in force until 6pm Monday across Yorkshire, the Midlands, London, the South East, the South West, and parts of eastern England.
Clouds are expected to creep in later in the week, with the cooler air spreading south and west. By midweek, temperatures will dip further, settling around 23C to 24C.
But it won’t last long. As winds turn southerly, warmer air could send readings climbing back to the high 20s by the weekend.
Drought still biting
The run of dry weather is intensifying concerns about water shortages. Officials recently warned that England is experiencing “nationally significant” deficits, despite some rainfall in July.
The national drought group – which includes the Met Office, water regulators, government and utility firms – says five regions remain officially in drought, with six more classed as being in prolonged dry weather status.
The impact is already visible. Farmers report shrinking crop yields, reduced feed for livestock, and parched wetlands. River habitats are under stress, while wildfire risks are rising.
Climate experts caution that global warming is fuelling these extremes, from more frequent and intense heatwaves to longer dry spells.
For now, Britain is set to enjoy a mostly dry, mild week. But the weather, as ever, is ready to change.
