North-west Scotland received more than 100mm of rain on Friday and Saturday, more than half a month's rainfall, the Met Office said. The figures were reported by STV News on 9 August 2026, the same day Frittenden in Kent recorded 30.6C1.
Meteorologist Tom Morgan, speaking to the Press Association, said further rain was nearby: "They've seen over 100mm of rain on Friday and Saturday, so the rain isn't far away and there is a little bit of rain in northern England and Northern Ireland today too"1. More places were expected to reach highs of up to 32C later on Sunday, and a high of 36C was expected in parts of East Anglia and the South East by Thursday1.
The UK Health Security Agency issued yellow heat health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. The alerts are in place until 9pm on Tuesday and may be extended as the hot weather continues1.
The rain in Scotland follows a dry summer across England and Wales. STV reported that July was the driest in England and Wales since records began in 1836, that 19 counties across England recorded 1mm of rain or less across the whole month, and that half of England and all of Wales were in drought. Two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June led to more than 2,800 excess deaths, and two further heatwaves in July fuelled drought and wildfires1.
"They've seen over 100mm of rain on Friday and Saturday, so the rain isn't far away and there is a little bit of rain in northern England and Northern Ireland today too"
| Measure | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rainfall, north-west Scotland, Friday and Saturday | Over 100mm, more than half a month's rainfall | 1 |
| Temperature, Frittenden, Kent, Sunday | 30.6C | 1 |
| Expected high, Sunday | Up to 32C in more places | 1 |
| Expected high, Thursday | 36C in parts of East Anglia and the South East | 1 |
| Heat health alerts | Yellow, seven English regions, until 9pm Tuesday | 1 |
Why it matters for households
The two halves of the UK face different conditions at the same time. Households in north-west Scotland have had more than half a month's rain in two days, which is relevant to anyone watching water levels near rivers and burns; the site's flooding hub sets out how flood warnings are issued and what they mean. Households in the seven regions under yellow heat health alerts are affected until 9pm on Tuesday, with the possibility of extension, and the alert areas include London and most of southern, central and northern England1. The Met Office expected the heat to build again towards 36C in parts of East Anglia and the South East by Thursday1. STV reports the summer's heatwaves have been linked to more than 2,800 excess deaths, and that drought conditions cover half of England and all of Wales1.
What happens next
The yellow heat health alerts run until 9pm on Tuesday and may be extended as the hot weather continues1. Monday was forecast to be slightly cooler, with heatwave conditions likely to return next week and a high of 36C expected in parts of East Anglia and the South East by Thursday1. No further rainfall figures for north-west Scotland, and no flood warnings for the area, have been reported.
