A heat health alert has been extended until Saturday for much of England, with officials urging people to take precautions as high temperatures may increase health risks for vulnerable groups.
Temperatures provisionally reached 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London on Thursday, the second time this year the country has seen temperatures hit 38C.
Amber alert extended
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended the current amber heat health alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, London and East of England until 10am on Saturday. All other regions in England remain under an amber alert until 9pm on Friday.
The UKHSA has warned high temperatures “may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups”. Officials have urged people to take simple precautions such as staying out of the sun at the hottest part of the day, checking in on vulnerable friends and family, and staying hydrated.
Advice from public health officials
Polly Ashmore, acting consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said: “Drinking plenty of water, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day and keeping indoor spaces cool are all things you can do to keep yourself and others safe.
“For vulnerable groups including older adults and those with existing health conditions, warmer weather can result in serious health outcomes.
“We urge health and social care services to ensure they are prepared and encourage people to check on vulnerable friends and family to make sure everyone is aware of the forecast, follows the necessary advice and stays safe in this period of hot weather.”
Record-breaking heat and drought
The intense heat has made 2026 the first year on record to see three separate days where temperatures reached the 37C threshold, as well as the first year with four days at 36C or above, and extends 2026’s record-breaking run of days above 35C.
It is the fifth heatwave in a summer which has also been marked by extremely dry weather and drought for much of England and Wales. The UK is facing increasingly extreme conditions such as heatwaves, drought and wildfires fuelled by climate change, which is mostly driven by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels for power plants, vehicles, heating and industry.
England and Wales have already seen as many wildfires this year as during the whole of 2025. 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, heaping pressure on water resources for households, agriculture and the environment.
The ongoing dry weather means that reservoir storage for England now stands at 66%, down from 69% a week ago and nearly 14 percentage points below the long-term average for the time of year, the Environment Agency said.
MPs have urged the Prime Minister to deal with the “desperately worrying” strain on the UK’s water resources by speeding up the rate at which Britain’s new reservoirs are built. Some nine new reservoirs are planned to be up and running by 2050 in England, aimed at helping to protect against water shortages by collecting more rain during wet periods, after a more than 30-year gap in which none have been built.
Analysis by the UKHSA found that around one in six of all heat-associated deaths in England during summer last year were thought to be linked to dementia. Angelo Makri, senior knowledge officer for wellbeing at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “High temperatures can pose serious risks for people living with dementia if they are not supported to stay cool and hydrated.
“People with dementia may not always recognise when they need a drink or wear suitable clothing, which can increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related illness.
“With temperatures set to reach extreme highs this week, we’re urging families, friends and carers to make sure loved ones are drinking enough, wearing light clothing and keeping their homes as cool as possible.”
