The UK's third heatwave of the summer reached its peak on Saturday, with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales all recording their warmest day of the year. Temperatures are set to remain high on Sunday before beginning to drop as cooler weather moves in from Monday.
Scotland saw extraordinary temperatures as Aviemore hit 32.2C, marking only the seventh time since at least 1961 that the country has reached such heights. The Met Office confirmed Scotland last exceeded 30C on June 13 2023, making Saturday's reading particularly significant.
Record temperatures across nations
Northern Ireland reached the 30C milestone in Magilligan for the first time since July 18 2022. Wales recorded 33.1C in Cardiff's Bute Park, surpassing Friday's 2025 record of 32.4C at the same location.
England also experienced sweltering conditions with Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire hitting 33.1C. However, this fell short of the country's current yearly record of 35.8C, which was set in Kent at the beginning of July.
Slight relief expected Sunday
Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said temperatures would dip marginally on Sunday with possible highs of 31C. "While we've seen the peak of the heat in this heatwave through today it's still going to be very warm on Sunday before turning cooler for many of us on Monday," she explained.
A ridge of high pressure continues to keep conditions settled across the UK. However, an area of low pressure moving through Sunday night into Monday will bring cooler temperatures and heavy spells of rain for many areas.
Wimbledon responds to heat concerns
Tennis fans at Wimbledon continue to face challenging conditions after several days where spectators required medical attention due to high temperatures. The All England Club has significantly increased on-screen communications and push notifications reminding guests to stay hydrated and seek shade.
Service stewards on court now have access to water for spectators in need, whilst on-site medical teams remain ready to assist when required. The grounds feature more than 100 free water refill points and a pharmacy where guests can purchase sunscreen.
Health warnings remain active
Amber heat health alerts remain in place for the Midlands and southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday. The warnings highlight potential rises in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with existing health conditions.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has yellow alerts in place until Monday for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regions. These alerts advise increased vigilance for vulnerable populations during the continued hot weather.
Fire and water safety concerns
Fire chiefs have urged people to stay safe as the risk of wildfires and drowning incidents increases. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) specifically warned people not to enter water to cool down and urged parents to supervise children around water at all times.
Firefighters in Surrey tackled a wildfire on Hankley Common in Thursley on Saturday spanning approximately eight hectares. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service urged nearby residents to close windows and doors whilst advising the public to avoid the area.
Ongoing wildfire battles
Scottish fire crews spent a second day tackling a wildfire in Perth near the M90 in the Craigend area. An "extreme" wildfire warning remains in place for much of Scotland, whilst London faces a "severe" wildfire risk rating from the Natural Hazards Partnership.
HM Coastguard issued safety advice for people heading to coastal areas. Data from the water incident database shows most drownings occurred in July over the past three years, highlighting the particular risks during peak summer heat.
Water restrictions introduced
Yorkshire Water implemented hosepipe restrictions on Friday for activities including watering gardens, cleaning cars and filling paddling pools. The measures aim to protect water supplies as more dry weather is forecast for the coming weeks.
South East Water announced demand for drinking water has reached "record levels since May". New restrictions starting July 18 will ban customers in Kent and Sussex from using hosepipes for watering gardens, cleaning vehicles, filling pools or cleaning outdoor surfaces, with potential fines of up to £1,000 for violations.
National Rail warned train passengers that hot weather may cause disruption this weekend. The RNLI cautioned beachgoers that despite the heat, cold water shock remains a risk when entering the sea.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
