Temperatures at the start of the week have already reached well above late-May averages and a number of temperature records have been broken.
But how long will the heat last? The current settled weather pattern will persist into midweek, bringing further sunshine and very high temperatures. However, as the week progresses, there are increasing signs of change, with slight cooling in some areas and a greater influence from Atlantic weather systems later on.
Wednesday
Wednesday, high pressure remains in control, although its position shifts slightly. This allows cooler air from the North Sea to move inland across eastern areas. As a result, eastern coasts will feel noticeably fresher, with temperatures nearer the mid to high teens in places.
Elsewhere, warm air holds on, and southern and western areas will still see temperatures approaching low 30s. There will be a mix of sunshine and variable cloud, with the continued risk of a few isolated thundery showers. For most, though, conditions remain dry and settled.
Unusually hot weather for the time of year is affecting much of Western Europe, with parts of France 10 °C above average for May
— Met Office (@metoffice) May 26, 2026
Coastal areas will be a little cooler but inland areas will remain exceptionally hot
Some areas of the UK will be hotter than Majorca 🌡️ pic.twitter.com/mozsjUeWZk
Thursday
Into Thursday, high pressure remains influential, but a subtle change in wind direction allows warmer air to spread more widely once again. Temperatures will again reach the mid to high 20s across many parts of the UK, with some central and southern areas approaching 30°C.
There will be plenty of sunshine, though some cloud will develop at times, and there remains a risk of a few scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms. These are expected to be fairly limited in coverage, and most places will stay dry.
Compared to Wednesday, eastern areas are likely to be somewhat warmer again, although coastal locations may still feel cooler due to onshore breezes. Overall, it will remain very warm or hot in many areas.
Friday
By Friday, the weather begins to show more influence from the Atlantic, particularly in the north. A weather system will move north-eastwards across Scotland, bringing thicker cloud, showery outbreaks of rain and breezier conditions.
Elsewhere, conditions will remain more settled, with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. There is still a chance of a few showers, especially across southern England, although many places will stay dry.
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Temperatures will ease slightly compared to earlier in the week, but it will still be very warm for many. Highs are expected to reach around 27 to 28°C in the south, with the north seeing temperatures in the high teens to low 20s. These values remain above average for the time of year.
Looking ahead to the weekend
As we move into the weekend, there are signs of further change as Atlantic weather systems begin to move in more widely, particularly across northern areas. This will bring an increasing chance of rain and stronger winds, with conditions turning more unsettled compared to earlier in the week.
At the same time, high pressure is expected to slip away towards Europe, allowing temperatures to gradually fall closer to average, especially in the north. While it will still feel warm in places, the intense heat of earlier in the week is likely to ease.
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