UK weather: storms and flood alerts give way to a month of extremes, forecasters say
Thunderstorm warnings and flood alerts are in force across parts of the UK as forecasters predict a changeable August of cold snaps, renewed heat and little relief for the parched South East.
The Met Office forecasts changeable UK weather for August 2026, with thunderstorm warnings and flood alerts in Scotland, continued dry conditions in the South East, and a mix of cooler spells and possible renewed heatwaves, with some forecasts suggesting temperatures up to 35C later in the month.
A thunderstorm warning was in force across parts of the UK on 5 August, with flood alerts issued in Scotland and a yellow warning covering the north-east of the country, as the Met Office signalled a month of changeable weather ahead. The warnings follow an intense run of summer heat. Temperatures peaked at 35.2C on 29 July, according to reports, and the hot, dry conditions have left southern England parched — forecasters say the South East faces continued dry weather with no relief expected, even as other regions turn unsettled. The heat has also created favourable conditions for virus-carrying midges linked to a bluetongue outbreak among sheep, prompting advice for farmers to vaccinate livestock and move at-risk animals away from midge-heavy areas. What comes next is uncertain and, by some accounts, extreme. The Met Office's 10-day outlook points to wetter conditions in the northwest and rising rain chances nationwide, while weather maps cited by several outlets suggest both a cold snap — with temperatures falling to around 6C — and fresh heatwaves of up to 35C later in August.
Thunderstorm warnings and flood alerts as August turns unsettled
As of 5 August 2026, a Met Office thunderstorm warning was in effect in parts of the UK, with flood alerts issued in Scotland alongside it. A yellow warning for thunderstorms covered north-east Scotland, while more unsettled weather was expected across other parts of the country.
The picture was sharply divided. Southern England had not yet received significant rainfall, despite the warnings elsewhere, and forecasters cautioned that the South East faced continued dry conditions with no relief expected.
The warnings mark the start of what the Met Office expects to be a changeable month. After a period of heatwaves, the forecaster has predicted mixed conditions across the UK throughout August, with the early-August storms the first sign of that shift. For the South East, however, the change has so far brought little in the way of rain.
Maps point to both a cold snap and fresh heatwaves in August
Weather maps cited by several outlets paint a sharply contradictory picture of the weeks ahead. According to one set of forecasts, temperatures in parts of the UK are expected to fall to around 6C, with 27 counties forecast to drop below 10C. Separate charts suggest early-morning temperatures could fall to 7C across England, Scotland and Wales, with 40 areas expected to dip under 10C.
Other projections point the opposite way. WXCharts maps indicate temperatures rising gradually across southern and eastern England, with many areas forecast to reach at least 30C in the coming days. One forecast suggests 14 counties could see 35C or higher, while another points to a four-day heatwave beginning within days, with 15 counties reaching 34C. Maps have also indicated a possible August peak of 32C across 19 counties, concentrated in London and the South East, and a potential fifth heatwave later in the month, with temperatures up to 35C and heat alerts issued.
Heatwaves leave drought and a bluetongue risk for farmers
The unsettled turn follows weeks of punishing heat. Temperatures in the UK peaked at 35.2C on Wednesday, 29 July, according to reports, and half of England declared drought conditions during the week preceding 31 July. One source described the country as being in its fourth heatwave of the summer as of 30 July, with cooler conditions forecast for parts of the UK over the following weekend.
The prolonged hot spell created favourable conditions for virus-carrying midges linked to a bluetongue outbreak among sheep. The scale of the outbreak, including case numbers and affected regions, has not been detailed. Farmers have been advised to vaccinate livestock and to move at-risk animals away from areas where midges are plentiful, as the agricultural sector contends with the combined pressures of drought and disease risk.
What the Met Office expects over the next 10 days
Looking ahead, the Met Office's 10-day forecast issued on 5 August points to wetter conditions in the northwest of the UK, according to reports of the outlook. The Met Office said subtle changes in weather patterns would increase the chances of rain across the country over the following 10 days.
Whether that rain will reach the South East remains unresolved. Forecasters warned the region faced continued dry conditions, with no relief expected within the period covered.
The timing of the more extreme spells is also unclear. Reports based on weather maps suggest both a cold snap and renewed heat later in August, but the Met Office has characterised the month simply as changeable, following the recent run of heatwaves. The sequence in which these hot and cold periods arrive remains uncertain.
Heatwaves and bluetongue risk
Thunderstorm warning and flood alerts in effect; Met Office 10-day forecast issued
South East remains dry; yellow thunderstorm warning for north-east Scotland; unsettled weather elsewhere
Wetter conditions forecast for the northwest; increased rain chances UK-wide
Temperatures forecast to rise in southern and eastern England, reaching at least 30C; possible heatwave in London; some forecasts suggest 34-35C in multiple counties
Cold spell forecast: temperatures falling to around 6-7C, with dozens of counties below 10C
Possible fifth heatwave with temperatures up to 35C and heat alerts
Met Office forecasts changeable weather across the UK for the month
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK weather forecast for August 2026?
The Met Office has forecast changeable weather across the UK through August 2026, following a period of heatwaves. Its 10-day forecast issued on 5 August indicated wetter conditions in the northwest, and the Met Office said subtle changes in weather patterns would increase the chances of rain across the UK over the following 10 days. The South East of England, however, was expected to remain dry, with forecasters warning of no relief from the arid conditions.
Are there any weather warnings in place in the UK right now?
Yes. A Met Office thunderstorm warning was in effect in parts of the UK as of 5 August 2026, including a yellow warning for thunderstorms in north-east Scotland. Flood alerts were also issued in Scotland alongside the warning. Southern England had not yet received significant rainfall despite the warnings elsewhere. The duration and geographic extent of the thunderstorm warning were not detailed in the reports available.
Will there be another heatwave in the UK this August?
Several forecasts suggest it could, though these should be treated as reports rather than settled predictions. Weather maps indicate an August heatwave could bring temperatures of up to 32C across 19 counties, concentrated in London and the South East. Other forecasts suggest 34C or even 35C in multiple counties, and one suggests a fifth UK heatwave could begin later in the month with heat alerts issued. Exact dates have not been confirmed.
How is the hot weather affecting UK farmers and livestock?
The recent hot weather created favourable conditions for virus-carrying midges linked to a bluetongue outbreak among sheep. Farmers have been advised to vaccinate livestock and to move at-risk animals away from areas with plentiful midges. The severity and scale of the outbreak, including case numbers or the specific regions affected, have not been disclosed in the available reports.
What is the Shipping Forecast and when is it broadcast?
The Shipping Forecast is a BBC Radio 4 broadcast of weather reports for the seas around the British Isles, produced by the Met Office on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. It dates back more than 150 years. It is currently broadcast two or three times per day, at 00:48, 05:34, and 17:54 UK local time.
Compiled from reporting by 8 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
