The Met Office has warned of an "extremely hot" spell as the UK faces its fifth heatwave of summer next week. Temperatures could soar to 36C in parts of the country, with Greater Manchester expected to record highs of 32C on Wednesday (August 12).
Extreme Summer So Far
The extreme weather of summer 2026 has so far included two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to more than 2,800 excess deaths. Two more heatwaves in July, the driest July in England and Wales since records began in 1836, have also fuelled drought and wildfires.
Forecast for the Coming Days
The upcoming heatwave is expected to bring highs of 36C in parts of East Anglia and the South East by Thursday (August 13). The Met Office wrote in a post on X: "Unprecedented heat has affected much of Europe this summer and this week will be no exception. Yet another spell of extremely hot weather is set to spread north across much of the UK with temperatures reaching the mid 30s Celsius in places."
In a video shared by the Met Office on social media, weather maps turn red across Europe as temperatures are forecast to rise across Europe from Monday (August 10), reaching southern parts of the UK by Tuesday.
Health Alerts and Advice
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. The yellow heat health alerts are in place until 9pm on Tuesday, but may well be extended as the hot weather continues.
Health officials have warned of risks when taking some medicines, including common painkiller ibuprofen, in hot weather as they can make it harder for the body to stay hydrated, regulate temperature or cope with sun exposure.
Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said: "Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly used to treat acid reflux and heartburn, have also been linked to a very low risk of a lupus-like skin reaction triggered by sun exposure, and common painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen may also increase sun sensitivity."
