Greater Manchester is set to see temperatures soar above 30C again today (August 13), with highs of 34C forecast in Manchester and Stockport, as the UK continues to experience extreme heat. This comes after a high of 32C was recorded in Manchester on Wednesday (August 12), which marked the 37th day this year that temperatures have exceeded 30C across the UK.
Heat warnings and health alerts
The Met Office has issued an amber "extreme heat" warning across parts of England from Thursday morning until 11.59pm, while amber heat health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) remain in place across the whole country. The alerts warn that extreme heat is likely to significantly impact health and care services, including a potential rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
Officials have urged people to take simple steps to stay safe, such as drinking plenty of water, checking on vulnerable friends and family, and avoiding the sun at the hottest part of the day.
Forecast for Greater Manchester
The Met Office forecasts highs of 34C in Manchester and Stockport, while Trafford, Tameside, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford are expected to see 33C. Wigan is forecast to reach 32C. In southern parts of the UK, temperatures could hit 38C.
Met Office chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said: "While the peak heat will be more short-lived than recent heatwaves, temperatures widely into the mid-30s Celsius on Thursday brings the potential for impacts for some, which is why a Met Office warning has been issued."
Record-breaking summer and drought
Nearly three quarters of England and the whole of Wales are in drought, after a record dry July and very dry start to August combined with high temperatures to put pressure on water resources for households, agriculture and the environment.
Provisional statistics from the Met Office show that the mean temperature for the summer so far, from June 1, stands at 16.48C, which is 1.88C above the 1991 to 2020 average. To equal the 16.12C in 2025, the UK's warmest summer on record, the rest of August would only need to be 0.21C below the long-term average, and any warmer than this would establish a new record for the country, the Met Office said. For England and Wales, which have seen temperatures more than 2C above average so far this summer, it is even more likely that June to August 2026 will be record-breaking.
