South Wales is forecast to be as hot as anywhere in the UK this weekend — with 32°C expected today, and the region staying at the top of the temperature charts into next week.
The Met Office‘s Wales forecast, updated this morning, calls it another dry and sunny heatwave day, feeling hot with high UV — and its forecast maps show the weekend’s highest UK maximums sitting over south Wales.
That puts south Wales ahead of some of the world’s favourite getaways today — with forecast tops of 28°C in Ibiza and 29°C in both Istanbul and the Maldives.
There will be little relief after dark, either, with temperatures falling no lower than 16°C overnight.
And while much of the country begins to cool, the heat is coming our way. Met Office deputy chief forecaster David Hayter said the focus of the heat “will gradually shift towards western parts of the UK” — with slightly cooler, cloudier conditions for eastern coasts.
He said areas of central and southern England and Wales could expect “several more consecutive days of temperatures above 30°C”.
It comes in a summer that is rewriting the UK’s weather records. Temperatures of 35°C or higher have now been recorded in May, June and July of the same year for the first time — and 2026 has racked up a record eight days above 34°C, beating the marks set in 1976 and 2020.
Met Office science manager Dr Amy Doherty said the year had already seen “a number of remarkable temperature milestones”, with “exceptional warmth observed across multiple months”.
The heatwave — the third of the summer — has already been felt across the area: Ynystawe Primary sent pupils home at lunchtime on Friday, the only school in Swansea to close early as the heat peaked.
With the hot, dry spell now combining with freshening winds, forecasters warn of extreme wildfire conditions across many parts of England and Wales over the coming days.
A spokesperson for the National Fire Chiefs Council said it “only takes one spark to start a wildfire” in this weather — urging people to avoid disposable barbecues in the countryside, parks and moorlands, and to make sure cigarettes are fully extinguished.
It is a warning with particular weight locally: Gower’s commons are wildfire country, where graziers have turned to “cow firefighters” to strip out the moor grass that fuels the flames.
The wind is the weekend’s other watchword: a notable breeze builds through today with strong gusts around the coast, and Sunday — 31°C, with a chance of a few afternoon showers — will be windy on the coast too.
That brings a warning for anyone heading out on the water. Lee Pooley, head of safety at Paddle UK, said offshore winds were “incredibly deceptive” because water near the shore can look perfectly calm — but a breeze blowing from the land “can rapidly sweep a paddleboarder out to sea faster than they can paddle back”. His advice: check the wind direction before heading out, and “if the wind is blowing away from the shore, do not go”.
Swimmers are reminded that sea and river temperatures of 15°C or lower can cause cold water shock, with wetsuits and flotation aids advised for anyone spending time in the water.
Busy beaches are expected across the bay — police have a dispersal order in place at Langland for the whole weekend, the second in a fortnight.
So how long will it last? Monday to Wednesday stay largely dry, hot and sunny, though cloud increases a little with the chance of a few showers and the odd thunderstorm — and the longer-range outlook keeps things warm or very warm through next week, easing towards more average temperatures by next weekend, with further hot spells still possible.
The usual heat advice stands: stay hydrated, stay out of the sun in the hottest part of the day, and check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours — with UV levels high or very high, and pollen levels high in some areas. Amber and yellow heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency remain in place across large parts of England until Sunday.
