The Met Office has issued rare red weather warnings for extreme temperatures expected to reach 38°C to 40°C in parts of England and Wales this week, potentially breaking the June record set in 1976. The warnings, covering an area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham from 9am Wednesday to 9pm Thursday, indicate "severe and significant impacts" including widespread health risks, danger to life, and potential failures of power and essential services.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and Health Risks
Forecasters say the heatwave, driven by a "heat dome" settling over western Europe, could see temperatures exceed the June record by several degrees. The hot conditions, rare for the UK, will be accompanied by high humidity and very warm nights, making it difficult for people to recover overnight. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a red health warning for six regions of England—West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and east of England—from 1am Wednesday until 11pm Thursday, indicating "a risk to life for even the healthy population."
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: "It is vitally important that people understand the risk posed by high temperatures like these, and take steps to keep themselves and their friends, families and neighbours safe."
Impact on Daily Life and Infrastructure
The red warning also warns that "substantial changes" in working practices and daily routines will be required, with a high risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, leading to potential loss of power, water, electricity, gas, or mobile phone services. An amber weather warning is in place for a larger area of England and Wales between Monday and Thursday.
Dr Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "We are forecasting extreme temperatures in the next few days, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday, when it looks like we’ll be seeing maximum temperatures into the high 30s. But also we are stressing very high overnight temperatures which will be very uncomfortable for vulnerable groups, and very humid conditions as well." He added that the conditions would far exceed the heat seen in June in the past and were on "a much bigger scale" than the heatwave at the end of May.
Travel Disruptions and Fire Risks
The Met Office warned of travel disruptions, including delays on roads, road closures, and delays or cancellations to rail and air travel. Rod Dennis, road safety spokesperson for the RAC, cautioned that there could be a record number of breakdowns as the heat puts extra strain on vehicles, urging drivers to avoid non-essential journeys if their vehicles lack effective air conditioning. The AA noted that gritters might be deployed on some roads due to potential surface softening or stickiness.
Fire chiefs urged the public to take extra care in outdoor spaces due to increased risks of wildfires and water-related deaths. Phil Garrigan, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) chairman, said: "We have already seen the consequences that periods of extreme heat can have, with a number of lives tragically lost in water-related incidents during recent hot weather."
Schools and Workplaces Affected
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has issued guidance to members on dealing with the heat, including impacts on pupils and staff, legal positions, and when to consider closure. Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: "While there is no legal ‘upper limit’ for temperature in schools, (school leaders) will certainly be doing all they can to mitigate the effects of such high temperatures."
Employers are also urged to assess risks to workers, with conciliation service Acas recommending measures such as providing fans, portable air-cooling units, allowing more frequent breaks, and relaxing dress codes. Ruth Wilkinson of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health warned that outdoor workers in agriculture, construction, and the gig economy face the most immediate risks, while poor ventilation also affects indoor workers.
Climate Change Links and Future Risks
Scientists attribute the heatwave to a "heat dome"—a high-pressure system trapping heat over the region. Akshay Deoras, senior research scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading, said: "This is not just a heatwave, it is a heat-dome driven furnace that will grip most of southern UK and push temperatures into truly exceptional territory." He added that human-driven climate change "has provided the springboard for this event."
Bill McGuire, professor emeritus at University College London, warned that temperatures above 43°C are now possible in the UK's current climate, but health services, energy infrastructure, and transport are "simply not built for these conditions." Gareth Redmond-King of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit noted the heatwave coincides with Parliament's debate on net-zero plans, stating: "Let’s be clear, temperatures will continue to go up and up until we reach net-zero emissions."
Drought and Agricultural Concerns
Last week, the national drought group reported increased drought risk, with East Anglia returning to "prolonged dry weather" and Devon and Cornwall on a watchlist. Farmers are facing pressure, with many reporting issues with spring crop growth and earlier-than-usual water extraction from rivers and lakes. The Environment Agency is working with water companies on drought plans and monitoring water levels.
