Met Office humidity warning as parts of UK facing muggy weather while temperatures climb

The forecast suggests the muggy air will be most apparent ahead of, and along, weather systems pushing in from the Atlantic — with spells of rain and showers at times

The Met Office has warned that humid air will return to parts of the UK this week, with the muggy conditions most likely to be felt in the south and the South East as temperatures rise.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said on the Met Office Youtube channel a “southwesterly breeze” would help pull in moisture-laden air again, making it feel uncomfortable for some as the week progresses.

“A southwesterly breeze here is drawing in the humid air once more,” he said in the latest week-ahead forecast.

After the week began with a changeable picture, the Met Office forecaster said humidity could become more noticeable midweek, particularly in southern areas. He said there may be “a fairly humid start to the day in the south” and later added: “A rather humid feeling day where the sun does come out,” with temperatures “25, possibly 26 Celsius towards the southeast.”

The forecast suggests the muggy air will be most apparent ahead of, and along, weather systems pushing in from the Atlantic — with spells of rain and showers at times.

The meteorologist added: “This weather front becomes the dividing line between warm and humid air to the south and something a little fresher to the north.”

Although the rest of the week looks uncertain, temperatures are expected to rise overall, to the mid-20s with brighter spells, especially in the south, while the north stays closer to average.

The news comes as the Met Office announced that new provisional figures show summer 2026 was the warmest in the UK since records began nearly 150 years ago.

The forecaster found that the country warmed to an average of 16.5C in June, July and August, a significant 0.4C warmer than the previous record, set just last year.

Figures from the agency, which date back to 1884 show that the top six warmest summers on record have all occurred this century, including three this decade: 2026 in first place, followed by 2025, 2018, 2006, 2003 and 2022.

On several occasions this summer temperatures nearly reached 40C with five distinct heatwaves and drought conditions declared across much of the UK.

Figures from the agency revealed that England and Wales had their driest Julys on record, and southern England the driest month ever recorded since 1836.