The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its heat health alerts by three additional days as the UK continues to face a scorching heatwave this week.
Heatwave Conditions Persist
The UK has been basking in a heatwave for over a week, with the Met Office announcing on Friday that 2026 is the first year to have recorded temperatures of 35C or higher on six separate days. The Met Office has forecast temperatures to peak around 30-32C by Tuesday and Wednesday, with most places expected to remain dry and sunny.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates said: "The overall pattern continues to remain settled with large amounts of sunshine though this week, and temperatures peaking around 30°C–32°C across parts of England and Wales. In terms of rain, there’s a chance of some showers and thunderstorms in isolated spots in the south of England on Wednesday and Thursday, but these are likely to be sporadic in nature, and many people won’t see any rain this week."
Hosepipe Bans and Wildfire Risks
With sweltering temperatures forecast for many, several water firms have now imposed hosepipe bans across parts of the country, including the east of England, Cambridge, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and areas of Kent. Warm dry conditions have also raised a risk of wildfires, and fire services have already been tackling blazes across the UK, including near Dovestone Reservoir in Greater Manchester.
Extended Heat Health Alerts
As heatwave conditions continue to have impacts across the country, the UKHSA has now extended its heat health alerts, which were initially expected to be lifted at 9pm on Wednesday, July 15. The health agency has enforced multiple yellow heat health alerts across England, warning that "significant impacts are possible across health and social care services due to the high temperatures." These alerts will now remain in place until 9pm on Friday, July 17.
Potential Impacts of the Heat
The UKHSA has warned that the warm weather could lead to:
- A rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, as well as impacts on younger age groups
- A likely increase in demand for health services
- Internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) exceeding the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment
- The heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services
- Indoor environments overheating, increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings
- Water-related incidents increasing, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning
Full List of UKHSA Yellow Heat Health Alerts in Place Until Friday, July 17
The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, South East, South West, East of England, and London.
By the weekend, high pressure is expected to build back in from the northwest, reducing the shower risk and bringing a return to more widely settled, dry, and still warm conditions. Temperatures are forecast to ease slightly by Saturday compared with the midweek peak, but conditions will continue to remain fine and warm for many areas.
