The Met Office has identified six regions in England that will face heat health warnings starting at 12pm today, as temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C. A period of warm and humid weather is anticipated across much of the country this week, with heatwave conditions likely in parts of southern and southeastern England by Saturday, and more broadly by Sunday.
Temperature Forecasts
The Met Office predicts temperatures in the high 20s Celsius widely before the weekend, with the potential for 32°C in southern England on Sunday and possibly 33°C on Monday. An amber heat-health alert has been issued by the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the East of England, London, the South East, and the South West. This warning is effective from 12pm on Thursday, June 18, until 8pm on Tuesday, June 23.
Impacts of Amber Warning
The UKHSA states that the amber warning indicates significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures. Additionally, two separate yellow heat-health alerts cover the East Midlands and West Midlands for the same period.
Daily Temperature Climb
According to the Met Office forecast, temperatures will steadily increase from Thursday. Southern parts of England could approach 30°C by Friday, depending on cloud cover. Maximum temperatures of 32°C are expected on Friday in East Anglia, 28°C on Saturday as warm air temporarily shifts, 32°C in the south and southeast on Sunday, and possibly 33°C in the same areas on Monday.
Deputy Chief Forecaster Gregory Wolverson commented: “This week’s weather reflects a contrast we often see in summer, with more unsettled conditions passing to the northwest of the UK while heat builds in the south and east. As we move towards the weekend, conditions will become more widely settled and temperatures will rise. Many parts of southern and eastern England are likely to see temperatures high enough to meet heatwave thresholds. It’s important to note that while temperatures may be high, we might not see the wall-to-wall sunshine and blue skies experienced in May because there is more cloud around. There is also a chance of thunderstorms developing in places, particularly later each day, which could bring heavy showers and localised impacts.”
Safety Recommendations
To stay safe during hot weather, the Met Office and UKHSA recommend keeping curtains, blinds, and doors closed during the peak of the day to keep interiors cooler, drinking plenty of fluids, limiting alcohol intake, and staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm when UV rays are strongest. If you become too warm and experience symptoms of heat exhaustion—such as tiredness, weakness, feeling faint, headaches, or nausea—you should move to a cooler space with no direct sunlight, remove unnecessary clothing, have a cold drink, and apply cool water to exposed skin. The UKHSA added: “You should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes. If you are concerned about symptoms, or they are worsening, seek medical advice by contacting NHS 111. In an emergency, or if you think someone has heatstroke, dial 999.”
Affected Areas
- East of England - Amber alert
- London - Amber alert
- South East - Amber alert
- South West - Amber alert
- East Midlands - Yellow alert
- West Midlands - Yellow alert
