Barnet faces sixth heatwave of 2026 as Thames Water storage drops 15%
Temperatures in the borough will reach 30°C for three consecutive days from 11 August, meeting the Met Office heatwave threshold.
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Barnet will enter its sixth heatwave of 2026 next week, as temperatures rise to 30°C for three consecutive days. The Met Office defines a London heatwave as three days of 28°C or higher. The period from 11 to 13 August will meet this threshold, according to forecasts from the BBC and WXCharts.
Thames Water has reported a 15% decline in water storage compared with July. Martin Padley, the company’s Water Director, told MyLondon that while taps will not run dry, the situation is "quite important". He attributed the drop to low abstraction rates during a prolonged dry spell.
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What the heatwave means for residents
The BBC’s forecast predicts temperatures of 28°C to 30°C from 11 to 15 August. WXCharts expects the heat to persist into the night on 13 August, with temperatures around 31°C at midnight. The Met Office’s long-range outlook suggests possible thunderstorms, though it describes the heat as unexceptional compared with recent summers.
Thames Water has not imposed hosepipe bans but is urging customers to use water sparingly. Padley said: "Every drop counts during a drought." The company has not specified which areas of London are most affected by the storage decline.
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It's been bone dry, we've not been able to abstract an awful lot of water. But there is still water for everybody to drink, nobody needs to worry but it is quite an important situation we're in at the moment.
Martin Padley, Water Director at Thames Water
What happens next
Barnet Council has not issued specific guidance for the heatwave. Residents are advised to follow general heat health advice, such as staying hydrated and avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun. Thames Water has not announced further restrictions but continues to monitor storage levels.
The Met Office’s forecast for 16 August predicts a slight drop to 27°C, with light cloud cover. Temperatures are expected to remain above average for the time of year, though no further heatwave conditions are currently forecast beyond 15 August.
Questions this report answers
+How long will the heatwave last?
The heatwave will last three days, from 11 to 13 August, meeting the Met Office’s definition of three consecutive days at 28°C or higher. Temperatures will peak at 30°C during this period.
+Will water supplies run out in Barnet?
Thames Water says taps will not run dry but storage levels have fallen 15% in a month. The company describes the situation as "quite important" and is urging residents to conserve water.
+What is the hottest temperature expected?
WXCharts forecasts temperatures of 31°C at midnight on 13 August. The BBC predicts daytime highs of 30°C from 11 to 13 August, with the heatwave ending on 15 August.
+Has Barnet Council issued any advice for the heatwave?
Barnet Council has not issued specific guidance for the heatwave. Residents are advised to follow general heat health advice, such as staying hydrated and avoiding prolonged sun exposure.
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