// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Final day of heatwave for many before weekend cooldown
Temperatures are forecast to hit 34C (93F) in parts of south-east England on Friday as the UK's fifth widespread heatwave of the year continues - but it is predicted to be the last day of sweltering temperatures for most people.
Amber heat-health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency remain in force across all of England until 21:00 BST, warning of ongoing significant impacts across health and social care services.
However, temperatures in northern and western areas of the country will be noticeably lower than Thursday, which was the hottest day of 2026.
And that wil be followed by much cooler conditions for all parts over the weekend as this heatwave is brought to a quick end.
Kew Gardens in London reached 38.1C on Thursday, making it the UK's hottest day of 2026 so far, and the fifth hottest UK day on record.
It is also the second time this year that the temperature has reached 38C, after Lingwood, Norfolk recorded 38.0C on 26 June.
This is only the second time that 38C has been reached twice in the same year - the previous occasion being 2022.
Though the Met Office amber warning for extreme heat that covered large swathes of England on Thursday expired at midnight, high temperatures will linger in central and eastern parts of England on Friday.
Long spells of sunshine will lift temperatures to 29-34C (84-93F) across large parts of the Midlands, Lincolnshire, East Anglia and the south-east.
For many places it will mark a third consecutive day above official heatwave thresholds.