UK heatwave to end with thunderstorms and flash flood warnings as drought-stricken England awaits rain
The UK's prolonged heatwave is forecast to break on Tuesday with thunderstorms and a risk of flash flooding, offering temporary relief from drought conditions across parts of England and Wales after weeks of record-breaking heat.
The UK heatwave is expected to end on Tuesday, with thunderstorms and a risk of flash flooding forecast for its final day, according to the Met Office. Temperatures of up to 31C are forecast alongside the storm risk, with cooler conditions and rain expected to follow, temporarily easing drought in parts of England and Wales.
The UK's heatwave was expected to end on Tuesday with thunderstorms and a risk of flash flooding, according to the Met Office, which issued a warning covering possible storms in parts of the country. Temperatures of up to 31C were forecast alongside the thunderstorm risk, with additional locations in southern and eastern England expected to meet heatwave criteria on the final day. The storms would follow an exceptional run of heat. Severe heatwaves have affected Europe since late May 2026, breaking temperature records in numerous countries including the United Kingdom. According to reports, UK temperatures peaked at 35.2C on Wednesday, 29 July, and the storms would bring the first significant rain in weeks after what was described as the driest July in nearly 200 years. Half of England declared drought status earlier in the week, reports said. The rain matters because it may bring a temporary end to drought conditions in England and Wales — but it also carries danger. Warnings suggest flooding is possible where heatwaves have dried out the ground, making it less able to absorb sudden downpours.
Heatwave set to end with thunderstorms and flash flood risk
The UK's prolonged heatwave was expected to end on Tuesday, with thunderstorms and a risk of flash flooding forecast for its final day, according to the Met Office.
Even as the break approached, the heat was set to persist in places. Additional locations in southern and eastern England were expected to meet heatwave criteria on Tuesday, with temperatures of up to 31C forecast in parts of the UK alongside the thunderstorm risk. Some reports suggested highs of up to 35C in parts of England, though this figure was attributed to forecasts carried by individual outlets rather than confirmed by the Met Office.
The heat had already delivered notable peaks in the run-up to the change. According to reports, UK temperatures peaked at 35.2C on Wednesday, 29 July, while a high of 27.8C was recorded in Surrey on the preceding Saturday.
The Met Office issued a warning covering possible thunderstorms in parts of the UK as the hot spell drew to a close. According to some reports, this took the form of a 12-hour thunderstorm warning covering six areas, though the specific regions involved were not identified beyond that figure.
Heat alerts remained in place at the start of the week as the hot weather continued across the country. Cooler temperatures were forecast to follow the end of the heatwave, bringing relief after a period in which parts of England and Wales had been left facing drought conditions. The forecast rain and thunderstorms were expected to bring at least a temporary end to those dry conditions, according to the reports consulted.
A summer of record-breaking heat across Europe
The heat now gripping Britain is the latest chapter in a summer of exceptional temperatures across the continent. Severe heatwaves began affecting Europe in late May 2026, with temperature records broken in numerous countries, the United Kingdom among them. Western and Central Europe were both caught up in the prolonged spells of extreme heat.
In the weeks ahead of the August forecast period, the UK experienced a series of extreme heatwaves rather than a single isolated event. Each episode added to the strain on a country already contending with parched ground and dwindling water supplies.
The intensity of the heat has been striking. According to reports, UK temperatures peaked at 35.2C on Wednesday, 29 July, the highest reading of the period covered by the sources. Even the days immediately before the heatwave's expected end brought little relief: a high of 27.8C was recorded in Surrey on the preceding Saturday, according to the publishers consulted.
Additional locations in southern and eastern England were expected to meet heatwave criteria on Tuesday itself, underlining how widespread the hot conditions remained even as the weather began to turn. The Met Office has forecast changeable conditions across the UK during August, but the run of extreme heat that preceded it has already made this one of the most remarkable summers in recent European memory.
Severe heatwaves begin across Europe
UK experiences a series of extreme heatwaves
Prolonged dry period leaves England and Wales in drought-prone conditions
High of 27.8C recorded in Surrey
Half of England declares drought status
Heat alerts in place as hot weather continues across the UK
UK temperatures peak at 35.2C
Heatwave expected to end with thunderstorms and flash flooding risk
Additional locations in southern and eastern England expected to meet heatwave criteria
Temperatures of up to 31C forecast alongside thunderstorm risk
Highs of 35C forecast in parts of England
Met Office issues 12-hour thunderstorm warning covering six areas
Drought grips England and Wales after driest July in nearly 200 years
The storms arrive as much of England and Wales remains parched after an exceptionally dry summer. According to reports, half of England declared drought status earlier in the week, following what has been described as the driest July in nearly 200 years.
The prolonged dry spell has left the ground baked hard across large areas, with water supplies under strain and drought-prone conditions affecting parts of both countries. The forecast rain and thunderstorms are expected to bring a temporary end to these drought conditions, offering at least some relief after weeks without significant rainfall. Reports suggest the predicted storms would bring the first meaningful rain in weeks.
However, the sources consulted do not say whether the rain would fully lift drought status or only temporarily ease it. Rain falling on dried-out ground also tends to run off rather than soak in, which is why forecasters have paired the prospect of relief with warnings about flash flooding.
The drought follows a series of extreme heatwaves that have affected the UK since late May 2026, part of a broader pattern of severe heat across Europe in which temperature records were broken in numerous countries, including the United Kingdom.
The warnings in force: what the Met Office and health agencies have said
The Met Office issued a warning covering possible thunderstorms in parts of the UK as the heatwave entered its final day, while heat alerts were in place at the start of the week as hot conditions continued across the country.
According to reports, the Met Office issued a 12-hour thunderstorm warning covering six areas, though the specific regions covered have not been identified beyond that figure. The Met Office indicated that flooding of homes and businesses is likely, with potential damage to buildings and structures, and driving conditions are expected to be severely affected by the storms.
Amber heat health alerts have been issued in connection with the hot weather, according to reports, though the duration and geographic extent of those alerts have not been specified. Warnings for thunderstorms and heavy rain have been issued for parts of the UK, and a yellow rain warning is reported to be in force for some areas.
The warnings have been issued for thunderstorms and flash flooding, with reports suggesting flooding is possible in areas where the ground has been dried out by recent heatwaves. The Met Office has set out when the current heatwave is expected to end and when thunderstorms are forecast to arrive, with temperatures of up to 31C forecast in parts of the UK alongside the thunderstorm risk. Temperatures were forecast to reach highs of 35C in parts of England before the change arrives.
Why parched ground raises the flash flooding threat
The storms carry risks beyond the rain itself. According to reports, flooding is possible in areas where the ground has been dried out by recent heatwaves. Weeks of extreme heat have left soil hard and parched, and such ground absorbs water slowly. Heavy rain falling on it tends to run off the surface rather than soak in, raising the prospect of flash flooding even where rainfall totals are modest.
Reports suggest the consequences could be serious. The Met Office has indicated that flooding of homes and businesses is likely, with potential damage to buildings and structures, according to those reports. Driving conditions are also expected to be severely affected by the storms, with spray, standing water and reduced visibility making journeys hazardous.
The heat itself is not expected to relent quietly. Forecasts cited in reports point to highs of 35C in parts of England on the heatwave's final day, even as the thunderstorm risk builds. That combination of intense heat, parched ground and sudden downpours is what makes the transition dangerous: the same dry conditions that have defined the summer now stand to amplify the impact of the rain meant to relieve them.
What comes next: cooler days, then a changeable August
The end of the heatwave is set to bring a marked shift in conditions. Cooler temperatures were forecast to follow across the UK, and reports suggested some parts of the country would see cooler conditions over the weekend, offering respite after weeks of extreme heat.
The break may not last long. According to reports, UK temperatures could climb back to around 30C by the following weekend, though this would fall short of the peaks recorded during the heatwave itself.
Looking further ahead, the Met Office has forecast changeable weather across the UK during August. Its long-range forecast reportedly suggested the month could bring thunderstorms, signalling an unsettled pattern rather than a return to the sustained heat of recent weeks.
That unsettled outlook follows an extraordinary run of weather. Since late May 2026, severe heatwaves have swept across Europe, breaking temperature records in numerous countries including the United Kingdom. The UK itself experienced a series of extreme heatwaves ahead of the August forecast period, leaving large parts of England and Wales in drought.
Whether the coming weeks bring lasting relief or merely a pause in the hot, dry pattern remains to be seen. The Met Office has not indicated how long cooler conditions are expected to persist.
Frequently asked questions
When will the UK heatwave end?
The heatwave was expected to end on Tuesday, with thunderstorms and a risk of flash flooding forecast for its final day. Additional locations in southern and eastern England were still expected to meet heatwave criteria that day, with temperatures of up to 31C forecast alongside the storm risk. Cooler temperatures were forecast to follow once the heatwave ended.
What thunderstorm warnings has the Met Office issued?
The Met Office issued a warning covering possible thunderstorms in parts of the UK. According to reports, it was a 12-hour warning covering six areas, with flooding of homes and businesses described as likely and potential damage to buildings. Driving conditions were expected to be severely affected, and a yellow rain warning was also reported to be in force for parts of the country.
How hot did it get in the UK heatwave?
According to reports, UK temperatures peaked at 35.2C on Wednesday, 29 July, and highs of 35C were forecast in parts of England on the heatwave's final day. A high of 27.8C was recorded in Surrey on the preceding Saturday. Temperatures of up to 31C were forecast alongside the thunderstorm risk, and reports suggested temperatures could return to around 30C by the following weekend.
Will the rain end the drought in England and Wales?
Forecast rain and thunderstorms were expected to bring a temporary end to drought conditions affecting parts of England and Wales. Reports said half of England had declared drought status earlier in the week, following what was described as the driest July in nearly 200 years. However, the sources do not say whether the rain would fully end drought status or only temporarily ease it.
Why is there a flash flooding risk after the heatwave?
Yes, according to reports. Warnings were issued for thunderstorms and flash flooding, with flooding said to be possible in areas where the ground had been dried out by recent heatwaves. Hard, dry ground absorbs heavy rain less effectively, increasing the risk of surface water flooding. The Met Office reportedly indicated that flooding of homes and businesses was likely, with potential damage to buildings and structures.
Compiled from reporting by 12 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
