Rain is forecast to reach the UK on Monday, bringing relief after the hottest day of the year saw temperatures hit 38.1C at Kew Gardens on Thursday. The Met Office expects the heaviest rainfall across Scottish Highlands, Cumbria, Northumberland, North Wales and Northern Ireland, though hosepipe bans continue to affect more than 26 million people.
Temperatures will drop sharply, falling to 2 to 4C below average by week's end with lows of 3 or 4C possible in southern England by Friday morning. Wisley in Surrey has now recorded 60 consecutive days without rainfall, and almost three-quarters of England and all of Wales remain in drought.
Wildfires continue to strain resources, with crews fighting 14 blazes across South Wales on Sunday. The West Midlands declared a major incident Thursday after a wildfire destroyed 19 homes across 500 acres. Despite the cooldown, forecasters warn of potential late-season heatwaves between 30 August and 13 September, especially in southern regions.