PA MediaA third heatwave of the year has entered its final day across the UK, with a high of 31C forecast.
Amber heat health alerts remain in place across central and southern England as hosepipe bans have been issued for millions in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex. An “extreme” wildfire warning is in place across most of Scotland.
The weather has also prompted warnings about water safety from fire services and local councils. A 15-year-old boy died in a river in Glasgow on Saturday evening.
Temperatures are forecast to be slightly lower than Saturday’s peak, before a cooler change arrives on Monday that will bring “heavy spells of rain” for many areas, the Met Office said.
Saturday was the hottest day in three years for Northern Ireland, the hottest in two years in Scotland, and the hottest day of the year in Wales – while England’s highest temperature was 33.1C recorded in Ross-on-Wye, in Herefordshire.
The heat led to disruption on the train network in Wales – leaving thousands of Stereophonics fans facing cancellations – while fire crews in Perth in Scotland spent a second day battling a wildfire.
People across the country flocked to beauty spots and bodies of water on Saturday to keep cool.
The death of the 15-year-old boy in the River Kelvin came just hours after a woman, 63, died after falling near a waterfall north of Glasgow.
Fire officials warn of an increased risk of drowning when trying to keep cool, urging parents to supervise children around water at all times.
Amber heat health alerts – signifying a rise in deaths and demand on the health service is likely – will remain in place in England until 09:00 BST on Monday. Less severe yellow heat health alerts for northern regions of England will also end at the same time.
The heatwave is then expected to end for many areas as showers develop, with the possibility of some heavy showers or thunderstorms in north and west England.
Those in south-east England may have to wait until Tuesday for some respite from the heat, though, a high of 28C forecast for Monday.
Neither Yorkshire Water nor South East Water have indicated when they plan to lift their respective hosepipe bans, which restrict water usage for certain garden activities. Those who break the ban could face a fine.
South East Water, which has implemented the ban in Kent and Sussex, added it is monitoring the situations in other areas it services including parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.
PA MediaMeanwhile, firefighters in Surrey have continued tackling a wildfire to the south of Farnham on Sunday, after it grew to eight hectares on Saturday evening.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service told the public to avoid the area as it said crews were “damping down the perimeter” and dealing with hot spots.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has advised against the use of disposable barbeques in the countryside or parks, and has asked people to not discard items that could spark a fire, such as cigarettes, matches or glass bottles.
Scotland’s wildfire warning will remain in place until Monday.
Wimbledon fans braved 31C heat on Saturday to watch Iga Swiatek beat Amanda Anisimova in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon.
The men’s finals on Sunday will see a marginally cooler high of 29C.
The All England Tennis Club, which runs the tournament, said it had increased the number of on-screen communications and push notifications offering advice around hydration and taking breaks from the sun.
Heat may rebuild across the south-east corner of England again later in the coming week, though not to the temperature levels experienced over the last few days.
While linking climate change with specific individual extreme weather events can be difficult, scientists say that climate change is generally making heatwaves hotter, longer and more frequent.
Three summer heatwaves in quick succession after an unusually warm spring suggests climate change is having some effect on 2025’s weather – impacting not just humans but wildlife as well.
