UK roads are experiencing strain due to the ongoing extreme heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 38C in parts of England today, 13 August 2026. A motoring boss has warned that already deteriorating roads are under pressure as dark asphalt absorbs and stores heat, potentially causing surfaces to soften.
The AA stated that air temperatures in the low-to-mid 30Cs can result in much higher road surface temperatures. This can lead to some roads becoming sticky, uneven, or starting to rut under heavy traffic, prompting highways authorities to use gritters to stabilise surfaces.
Edmund King, AA president, highlighted that while roads are not expected to melt everywhere, vulnerable patches can become tacky, uneven, or deteriorate. This can impact braking, steering, and grip, and may also throw up loose material. He added that extreme weather, including hot summers and cold winters, exacerbates the UK's existing pothole problem.
Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill noted that these high temperatures could impact infrastructure, including railway lines and roads, as they are not designed for such heat.