The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat health alert for much of England, with temperatures forecast to exceed 30°C (86°F) over the weekend. The alert covers London, the East Midlands, and the south-west, south-east and east of England, and will be in effect from midday on Friday until 6pm on Tuesday.
A yellow alert has also been issued for Yorkshire and the Humber, and the West Midlands. The UKHSA alert system, developed in partnership with the Met Office, provides early warnings about weather-related health risks. An amber alert, the second highest level, indicates that hot weather is likely to be felt across the whole health service, potentially impacting health and social care services significantly.
This follows a previous amber alert on 19 June, when temperatures reached 32.2°C in Kew, west London, leading to official heatwave declarations in England and Wales. Parts of eastern England are expected to reach 27°C on Thursday, with possible thunderstorms in the south and east due to lingering warm, humid air.
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said the weather would be unsettled early on Thursday, with heavy rain in Scotland, but brighter spells returning from the west by afternoon. Temperatures are expected to climb again before the weekend, with highs of up to 28°C in southern and eastern parts by Friday, while western regions may see heavy rain and the east could remain dry with sunny spells.
Criswick warned that low pressure would bring rain towards the end of the week and into the weekend. Scientists say the climate crisis is making heatwaves more frequent and intense, particularly during early summer.
