Heat health alerts have been upgraded to amber in parts of England as the fourth heatwave of the year approaches, with temperatures forecast to peak at 35C in southeastern England on Wednesday.
The Met Office said thermometers could reach 29C to 30C widely in the South East on Tuesday, before climbing further the following day. The heat is expected to ease later in the week, with more changeable conditions arriving from the north and west.
July has so far been 3C above the UK average, according to provisional data, potentially placing it among the hottest three or four Julys on record. Southern England has received just 1% of its average July rainfall, while England as a whole has had 5% and the UK 20%.
The prolonged dry spell has led to hosepipe bans for 23 million customers, a drought declaration across parts of Wales, and pressure on crops and livestock. Firefighters have already battled significant blazes, including 19 simultaneous fires in England and Wales during the third heatwave in mid-July, and a major wildfire in the Cairngorms.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Gregory Wolverson said: “This is a short-lived spell of heat, but temperatures will climb quickly through the first half of the week. By Wednesday, some areas could see temperatures in the mid-30Cs, and while the heat will not be widespread across the whole of the UK, it will be enough for parts of the South East to likely meet official heatwave criteria by Thursday.”
The UK Health Security Agency has warned of increased health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups. An amber alert will be in place from 9am on Tuesday until 9am on Thursday for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London, with a yellow alert for Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands and South West. No alert has been issued for the North East and North West.
