Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland record hottest days of the year as UK-wide heatwave peaks

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland recorded their hottest day of the year so far, as the third heatwave of the summer hit its peak on Saturday.

Temperatures hit 32.2C in Aviemore in Scotland, while in Wales, a high of 33.1C was recorded at Cardiff's Bute Park. In Northern Ireland, 30C was recorded in Magilligan, County Londonderry.

Temperatures across England were in the high 20s and low 30s, but not quite hot enough to break the country's record for 2025, which remains at 35.8C recorded in Kent at the beginning of July.

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The UK is currently experiencing its third heatwave of the year, and amber heat health alerts are in place for the Midlands and southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday.

The alert warns of a potential rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.

The hot weather is set to continue on Sunday, but temperatures are forecast to dip marginally, with possible highs of 31C, before Monday brings some relief from the heatwave.

Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: "While we've seen the peak of the heat in this heatwave through [Saturday] it's still going to be very warm on Sunday before turning cooler for many of us on Monday.

"So we've got this ridge of high pressure extending across the UK, helping to keep things settled, but out towards the west an area of low pressure moving through Sunday night and into Monday.

"So if you're not a fan of the heat temperatures will be falling away but also bringing some heavy spells of rain, or welcome rainfall, for many of us."

Fire chiefs have warned people to stay safe, while cautioning of the increased risks of wildfires and drowning during the heatwave.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) asked people not to enter water to try to cool down and urged parents and carers to ensure children are supervised around water at all times.

Firefighters in Surrey tackled a wildfire on Hankley Common in Thursley on Saturday, which spanned approximately eight hectares, with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service urging nearby residents to close their windows and doors and urging the public to avoid the area.

Scottish fire crews spent a second day tackling a wildfire in Perth near the M90 in the Craigend area, as an "extreme" wildfire warning is in place for much of the nation.

HM Coastguard also issued safety advice for people heading to the coast, saying data from the water incident database shows over the last three years most drownings occurred in July.

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What you need to know about the hosepipe bans

In addition to the amber alerts, the UK Health Security Agency also has yellow alerts in place until Monday for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and Humber.

On Friday, Yorkshire Water brought in hosepipe restrictions, as part of efforts to protect supplies in the face of further dry weather forecast for the coming weeks.

It means customers in Kent and Sussex are banned from using a hosepipe to water gardens and plants, clean vehicles, fill swimming pool or ponds or to clean paths, walls or windows, with anyone ignoring the ban potentially facing fines of up to £1,000.

(c) Sky News 2025: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland record hottest days of the year as UK-wide heatwave peaks