Key facts
- Yellow thunderstorm warning
- Eastern Scotland, 10am to 9pm Wednesday
- Flood alerts
- Issued by Scottish Environment Protection Agency
- Driest July on record
- Southern England; also driest July in England and Wales since records began
- Excess deaths from heatwaves
- More than 2,800 in May and June heatwaves
- Supermarket action
- Asda pulling disposable barbecues from sale
Background
The UK is experiencing extreme weather in summer 2026, including two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to more than 2,800 excess deaths. Two further heatwaves in July contributed to the driest July in England and Wales since records began, fuelling drought and wildfires.
Major supermarkets have removed disposable barbecues from sale amid warnings of a heightened risk of wildfires. Asda was the latest to start pulling single-use grills from its shelves on Tuesday as the exceptionally dry and hot weather continues.
Firefighters have tackled wildfires across the country, including in Dunwich, Suffolk, and the Cairngorms in recent weeks.
Current situation
Thundery showers are set to batter parts of the country, with a handful of flood alerts in place in Scotland. A yellow thunderstorm warning is in effect for eastern parts of Scotland from 10am to 9pm on Wednesday, with forecasters warning of a small chance of flooding and potential damage to buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, or strong winds.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued several flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible and residents and business owners should be prepared. Northern areas will see showery rain on Wednesday morning, some heavy and thundery, with brisk and gusty winds.
Temperatures will cool towards averages for the time of year on Wednesday, the Met Office said, after a spike at the start of the week. There will be a marked north-south split in conditions, with rain forecast for northern England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, but little in other parts of England.
Impacts
By Thursday, outbreaks of rain in the north will sink south, but they will turn more showery. Some of it may reach rain-starved parts of eastern England, though little is expected for central and southern England.
July was the driest month ever recorded in southern England, and meteorologists have said there may not be significant rainfall in the area for some time. Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: "It's looking pretty dry (for southern England). Later on Sunday we could just get a few showers coming down from the North West. But the rain's weakening as it comes into the South East."
The dry conditions have already led to wildfires and the removal of disposable barbecues from sale. Residents in flood-alert areas of Scotland should prepare for possible flooding, while those in southern England face continued drought conditions.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
Mr Petagna added: "Even for the second half of the month (August), it is suggested that rainfall totals are more likely to be below normal than above, with a potential for further spells of hot weather at times as well. So nothing significant on the horizon for the South East."
If the dry weather persists, southern England may continue to face drought conditions and an elevated risk of wildfires. However, if the thundery showers in Scotland move further south, some areas could receive much-needed rain.
The situation remains uncertain, and forecasters will continue to monitor the weather patterns. Residents in affected areas should stay updated with the latest alerts and warnings.
Source: thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk
