I’m Heat health alerts have come into effect across much of England as the UK braces for its third and most widespread heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to peak at 34°C (93°F) this weekend.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat health warnings for central, southern and eastern England. The alerts remain in place until 15 July, urging caution as the prolonged high temperatures are likely to pose risks to vulnerable individuals and put added strain on health and care services.
This developing heatwave is expected to be the most persistent and far-reaching so far this year, with all four nations of the UK forecast to reach official heatwave thresholds. Some regions may experience extreme temperatures for up to six consecutive days.
A high-pressure system is currently moving across the country, ushering in increasingly sunny and dry weather. As the system shifts eastward, a flow of warm continental air will push temperatures higher.
From Thursday, parts of England and Wales are likely to see temperatures climb into the low 30s, while Scotland and Northern Ireland will experience daytime highs of 24–27°C (75–81°F). The weekend could see southern England and the Midlands reaching 33–34°C (91–93°F), although coastal areas in the east may remain slightly cooler due to breezes from the North Sea.
Northern Ireland could see highs of 27°C, with temperatures in Scotland possibly touching 30°C – a significant rise compared to earlier heat events, which were largely confined to southern and eastern England.
Despite the surge in heat, it appears unlikely the UK will surpass its hottest day of the year so far, recorded at 35.8°C (96.4°F) in Faversham, Kent, on 1 July.
The build-up of humidity will also result in warm, muggy nights, making sleeping conditions more uncomfortable for many. The sustained dry spell is raising concerns over water supplies, with hosepipe bans coming into force in Yorkshire from Friday. Thames Water has also issued warnings that further restrictions could be imposed if reservoir levels fail to recover.
The UK’s current heatwave mirrors ongoing weather extremes across western and southern Europe, where record-breaking heat and severe drought have led to widespread wildfires in southern France, Greece and Spain.
Climate experts have consistently warned that climate change is making heatwaves more intense and frequent. Recent analysis by Climate Central suggests the current heatwave in the UK is three to five times more likely due to rising global temperatures.
Data from the Met Office confirms that all ten of the UK’s warmest years on record have occurred since 2000, with five of those within the past decade – underscoring the country’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather patterns.
This heatwave is not only broader in coverage than previous hot spells but also looks set to last longer. Temperatures are expected to remain high into Monday, particularly across the south and east.
After that, a change in weather is anticipated as a front moves in from the west, bringing cooler air, rain showers and possible thunderstorms. However, forecasts remain uncertain, with some models predicting another spike in temperatures approaching 30°C by the end of next week, while others suggest more unsettled conditions may follow.
