Saturday 18th July
Friday was more of the same that brought yet again a maximum well above the heatwave threshold with a peak of 29.1C, which was 6.2C above my long-term average. Under clear skies the temperature slowly fell away reaching a low of 13.6C at 05.48 early Saturday, being 1.6C above average.
Saturday began with yet more sunshine after sunrise at 05.11 in Marlborough, that had boosted the temperature to 17.5C by 08.00 indicating another hot day ahead. However, today will be cooler, as the maximum will be several degrees down on recent highs and thankfully below the heatwave threshold.
The Azores high, a resident area of high pressure near the Equator, is maintaining the centre of the anticyclone west of Ireland. As it slowly shuffles around mid-Atlantic, the breeze will continue to rotate clockwise around it and feed down across the UK the cooler air stream, originating east of Iceland, that will oscillate in direction between northeast and possibly northwest after the weekend. This will result in lower maximum temperatures but still above average for July.
At the moment there is no indication of rain in the forecast, well into next week, although an isolated shower might erupt as it did yesterday. A localised shower system drifted down from the north last evening, just to the west of Marlborough at 19.00, that is likely to have given the Chippenham area some useful rainfall.
Deep Dive: Heatwaves, dry ground and warming seas
Author: Met Office
Wed, 15 Jul 2026
The UK has experienced a remarkable run of hot weather so far this year, with three distinct heatwaves affecting different parts of the country since late spring.
The latest spell has proven particularly persistent, raising questions not only about how long the heat will last, but also about the wider impacts that extended periods of hot weather can have on people, landscapes and the environment.
While many people welcome warm summer conditions, prolonged heat affects far more than just day-to-day comfort. From human health and vegetation to wildfire conditions and sea temperatures, the influences of repeated hot spells can be felt across a wide range of sectors.
Heat is about more than temperature
One of the key lessons from recent heatwaves is that temperature alone does not tell the full story. Humidity can significantly influence how conditions feel and how the human body responds to hot weather. During the June heatwave, high humidity levels combined with exceptionally warm air to create particularly oppressive conditions across parts of England and Wales.
Humidity affects the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating. As moisture levels in the atmosphere increase, evaporation becomes less efficient, making it harder for people to regulate body temperature. This is one reason why humid heat can often feel more uncomfortable than a dry heat, even when air temperatures are similar.
Research highlighted in the Met Office Deep Dive examined the health impacts associated with recent heatwaves, demonstrating that prolonged hot weather can have significant consequences for public health. The findings underline why heat remains one of the most serious weather-related hazards affecting the UK.