Key Points
- Temperature Peak: Bolton temperatures are projected to climb steadily, reaching a peak of 33C on Thursday, August 13.
- National Extreme: Highs across England and Wales could hit 36C or higher on Thursday, prompting the Met Office to consider amber or red extreme heat warnings.
- Fifth Heatwave: This spell marks the UK's fifth heatwave of the summer season.
- Record Season: Sunday marked the 34th day in 2026 where UK temperatures exceeded 30C, matching the historical record set in 1995.
- Infrastructure & Health Warnings: Met Office officials warn of disruptions to railway networks, power infrastructure, and public health, with elevated risk to vulnerable individuals and potential rises in mortality rates.
- Wider Drought & Health Alerts: Over 25 million people currently face water restrictions or hosepipe bans following the driest July in England and Wales since records began in 1836.
Bolton (Bolton Today) August 10, 2026 – Bolton is set to experience its fifth heatwave of the summer season, with local temperatures forecast to reach 33C on Thursday amid nationwide warnings of extreme heat.
What is the weather forecast for Bolton this week?
According to weather data updated at 07:00 BST on August 10 by the Met Office, temperatures in Bolton will rise progressively throughout the week. Highs are expected to reach 28C on Tuesday and 30C on Wednesday before peaking at 33C on Thursday. Conditions are forecast to cool sharply on Friday, dropping to 23C.
As reported by Joe Regent of The Bolton News, Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan stated:
"We'll probably see highs reaching the mid-30s quite widely on Wednesday, and indeed on Thursday too for England and Wales."
Morgan added:
"Thursday at this stage looks the most likely hottest day of the week. So 36C is a fairly reasonable probability locally on Thursday and there's a small chance it could get even higher than that."
Will the Met Office issue extreme heat warnings?
The Met Office is actively assessing whether to issue amber or red extreme heat warnings across affected regions as peak UK temperatures approach or exceed 36C.
As reported by Joe Regent of The Bolton News, Tom Morgan highlighted the risks to critical systems and public health, stating:
"There is a potential for impacts, so impacts to infrastructure, things like railway lines and power networks, impacts to vulnerable people as well."
Health officials have similarly cautioned that elevated temperatures pose severe risks within health and social care settings, raising the potential for increased heat-related mortality. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) maintains heat health alerts across multiple regions of England.
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How unusual is this heatwave historically?
This current period of extreme heat represents the fifth distinct heatwave of the 2026 summer season. Sunday recorded the 34th day this year where temperatures topped 30C somewhere in the UK, matching the previous high-water mark set in 1995.
Earlier heatwaves in May and June were associated with more than 2,800 excess deaths across the country. Additionally, July was recorded as the driest July in England and Wales since records began in 1836.
What water restrictions are currently in force?
According to data cited from the Environment Agency by Joe Regent of The Bolton News, more than 25 million people across the UK are currently subject to water usage restrictions or formal hosepipe bans following prolonged period of low rainfall.