The UK is now in the midst of its fifth heatwave of the year and on track to be the hottest summer on record.

Temperatures hit 37C on Thursday and provisional Met Office data shows the UK’s mean temperature for meteorological summer so far is currently at 16.48C – that is 1.88C above the 1991 to 2020 average temperature.

England has recorded a mean summer temperature of 18.19C so far, 2.46C above average. The remainder of August would need to be 1.41C below the summer average for England to equal its current warmest summer on record, also set in 2025.

Persistent dry and hot weather is taking its toll on England and Wales with about 70 per cent in drought.

Following a record dry July and very low levels of rain at the start of August, 27 million people are now under water-use restrictions.

But will this be the last heatwave of the summer? Or is there another dry and sunny spell looming over the UK?

What does the long range forecast say?

The Met Office long range forecast shows high pressure may start to weaken next week bringing the potential for some showers or longer spells of rain. But temperatures are still expected to be slightly above average.

However, towards the end of the month, high pressure is predicted to return, which is likely to bring back longer periods of dry weather and warm temperatures and maybe even another heatwave.

"Looking ahead, forecasts indicate temperatures will remain well above average through much of the coming week, with another spell of heatwave conditions expected to develop in some areas,” Met Office senior scientist Mike Kendon said.

“While individual hot spells do not determine seasonal records on their own, sustained periods of warmth throughout the summer have contributed to the exceptionally high average temperatures we've seen so far,” he added.

That means the UK could see another heatwave, which would bring the total for the year to six.

What records have been broken this summer?

The Met Office said on Thursday afternoon temperatures had reached 37.6C at Charlwood in Surrey, while at Wisley temperatures had hit 37.2C, and Kew Gardens in London had recorded a temperature of 38.1C – the highest temperature recorded in the UK this year.

A further 10 weather stations were at or above 36C, the provisional figures from the Met Office showed.

It makes 2026 the first year on record to see three separate days where temperatures reached the 37C threshold, as well as the first year with four days at 36C or above.

Before 2026, the UK had recorded 37C or higher on only six occasions.

It also extends 2026’s record-breaking run of days above 35C.

For four months in a row temperatures hit 35C in the UK on at least one day in May, June, July and now August.

July was also the driest month since records began in 1836 in both England and Wales, southern England alone had its driest calendar month ever on record.

By 15 July this year the UK had already recorded more days above 30C than in the whole of 1976, which was known for its long-lasting heatwave.