Record-breaking heatwave gives way to cooler temperatures across UK

The UK is set to welcome fresher conditions on Sunday as a record-breaking heatwave gives way to cooler temperatures and sporadic rain.

The Met Office said Saturday marked the end of the heatwave that has seen the nation under sweltering conditions for much of this week, with the mercury coming close to 30C in south-east England.

Scattered showers are forecast across the UK on Sunday, with temperatures closer to the average for this time of year.

Highs of 24C are expected in London, with 19C in Birmingham, 17C in Aberdeen and 19C in Belfast.

Outbreaks of rain are expected to be most frequent and heaviest in northern and western areas, while the east and southeast will remain mostly clear.

On Tuesday, England and Wales experienced their hottest May days on record as temperatures hit 35.1C in Kew Gardens, west London, while 32.9C was recorded at Cardiff's Bute Park, the Met Office said.

At least 15 people died during the heatwave after getting into difficulty in bodies of water.

A 19-year-old man had died after entering the water at Balderton Lake, off Heron Way in New Balderton, Nottinghamshire Police said on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Thursday where the man was recovered from the water and treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances, police said.

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On Saturday evening, South East Water said drinking water supplies had been restored for 15,500 customers across Kent, including in the Whitstable and Herne Bay areas, following issues with its network over the spell of hot weather.

Incident manager Steve Benton said: "Whilst this is positive, we are conscious that today has been another hot day and demand has remained high.

"Although our network is continuing to recover, levels of drinking water in our storage tanks are still low and we are asking customers to use water for essential purposes only - drinking, cooking, and hygiene.

"We are continuing to use our tankers to support the network and aid recovery"

The company said it was working on restoring supply to some 500 customers without water, while an additional 3,600 had intermittent supplies.

Mr Benton said: "We are also aware that some customers in the Wincheap area of Canterbury may have been experiencing no water, which is due to a burst water main. This is currently being repaired.

"In addition, there are approximately 3,600 customers who may be experiencing low pressure or an intermittent supply during the day in the Coxheath, Loose, Headcorn, Ulcombe and Benenden and Wraik Hill areas.

"This means that water will go on and off throughout the day, with no water or low pressure at peak times, particularly between 4pm and 7pm.

"We are sincerely sorry to customers for disruption to their water supply and know how frustrating it is, especially in hot weather."

The company said it had handed out a million litres of water at its bottled water stations across Kent, and was working to identify new collection point locations.

(c) Sky News 2026: Record-breaking heatwave gives way to cooler temperatures across UK