The United Kingdom is bracing for another heatwave this week, with temperatures expected to reach 34°C in the southeast, accompanied by tropical nights and potential travel disruption. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts covering London, the South East, South West, East of England, and the East and West Midlands until Saturday.
Heatwave arrives after June scorcher
The warm weather front, which previously caused a heat dome over the United States over the July 4 weekend—killing at least 25 people with temperatures exceeding 38°C in eastern parts—is now moving toward the UK. The Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell stated: 'We have got a heatwave on the way across parts of southern England and Wales. Temperatures are already quite high across the south-east today. We could get 28°C in London.' She added that northern areas will be cloudier with spells of rain, creating a north-south split.
Tropical nights and travel warnings
London and large parts of southern England face a week of tropical nights, with temperatures staying above 20°C even after dusk until at least Saturday. National Rail has warned of potential disruption on the railways, as heat can cause overhead lines to expand and sag, line-side fires, and rails to buckle. Similar issues occurred during the June heatwave, leading to timetable changes and broken trains.
National Rail said: 'The forecast weather may cause trains to be disrupted. Heat can cause overhead lines to expand and sag, line-side fires and also rails to buckle.'
Peak temperatures and health risks
The peak of the heat is expected on Thursday or Friday, with 34°C in the southeast. By comparison, the June heatwave saw a provisional new record high of 37.7°C at Lingwood, Strumpshaw Hill on June 26. Mitchell noted: 'By comparison to the heatwave we saw in June, this heatwave won’t be as hot and humid, but it will be a prolonged spell of hot weather which lasts around a week.'
The UKHSA yellow alert indicates a higher risk to life for vulnerable people and a minor impact on health and social care services due to increased demand. Hot weather is also expected to hamper travel throughout the week.
