LONDON: The United Kingdom is heading towards its fifth heatwave of 2026, with temperatures forecast to reach 36°C in parts of eastern and southeastern England next week after the country recorded a historic number of days above 30°C.
According to the BBC, Frittenden in Kent recorded 30.6°C on Sunday, marking the 35th day this year that temperatures have exceeded 30°C somewhere in the UK, surpassing the previous record of 34 days set in 1995.
Forecasters expect temperatures to rise steadily after a cooler Monday, with East Anglia and parts of southeast England likely to experience the hottest conditions by Thursday.
Record Heat Intensifies Pressure on UK Agriculture
The prolonged heat and dry weather have increased pressure on Britain’s agricultural sector, with farmers reporting lower crop yields following what the Met Office described as the driest July on record.
Farmers say the extended drought has affected crops including oats, wheat and vetch, raising concerns over domestic food production.
Suffolk farmer John Pawsey said harvest yields on his farm had fallen by between 25% and 30% after weeks of exceptionally dry conditions, highlighting the growing impact of extreme weather on agricultural output.
Experts Call for Climate-Resilient Farming
Agricultural experts say the increasing frequency of extreme weather events underscores the need for more climate-resilient farming practices.
Pawsey said his farm has begun experimenting with crops better suited to hotter and drier conditions, including fava beans and chickpeas, while adopting cultivation methods aimed at improving resilience.
Food security expert Timothy Benton also called for greater investment in sustainable farming systems and technological innovation, warning that climate-related risks to food production are expected to intensify in the coming years.
While much of England is expected to remain hot and dry, forecasters said northwest Scotland could experience heavy rainfall during the same period, reflecting contrasting weather conditions across the UK.