North East set to hit 32°C as UK faces fifth heatwave of the year

The UK is experiencing its fifth heatwave of the year, with the North East set to reach temperatures as high as 32°C today (August 13). While no Met Office weather warnings are in place for the region, an amber heat health alert remains active until August 14 at 9pm.

Highest temperatures in Darlington and County Durham

Darlington and areas in County Durham are expected to see the hottest conditions, with the peak of the heat occurring in the late afternoon. The Met Office forecast indicates a very slim chance of rain, with skies becoming more overcast later in the day.

Elsewhere in England, temperatures could reach 38°C. This puts summer 2026 on track to be a record hot summer, beating the previous record set only last year.

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Drought and wildfire risks

With record dry conditions in July and a dry start to August, nearly three-quarters of England and the whole of Wales are in drought, putting pressure on water resources for households, agriculture, and the environment. England and Wales have already seen as many wildfires this year as in the whole of 2025.

Baroness Brown, who chairs the independent advisory Climate Change Committee's adaptation work, warned it "gets worse from here" until greenhouse gas emissions are cut to net zero.

Health impacts and advice

The Prime Minister noted a "significant number of excess deaths from heat this summer already" and urged the public to follow health advice, including checking on elderly friends and relatives. Two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June led to more than 2,800 excess deaths.

The UKHSA warns in the heat health alert for the North East that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths.