The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded the heat-health alert to amber for parts of England, including London, as the fourth heatwave of the year approaches. The Met Office forecasts temperatures reaching 29-30°C widely in the South East on Tuesday, peaking at 35°C across southeastern England on Wednesday before easing.
Record-breaking summer heat
This is the fourth time this summer that temperatures have soared to heatwave levels, following record-breaking temperatures for May and June and another significant hot spell in mid-July. According to provisional Met Office data, July has been 3°C above average across the UK, potentially ranking 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%.
Health risks and drought
The heat and ongoing dry conditions pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups. The UKHSA stated: "The existing yellow heat-health alert for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London has been upgraded to amber and will be in place from 9am on Tuesday 28 July until 9am on Thursday 30 July." A yellow alert remains for Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, and South West regions. Drought has been declared across parts of Wales, and hosepipe bans affect 23 million customers. Crops and livestock are under pressure, and the UK faces further wildfire risks.
Wildfire impacts
The third heatwave in mid-July left firefighters battling 19 significant blazes simultaneously in England and Wales, while the Cairngorms in Scotland experienced a major wildfire. Across Europe, wildfires have forced 220,000 people from their homes in south-west France and 116,000 evacuated in Spain. The UK and Europe face rising extreme weather risks due to human-caused climate change.
Short-lived but intense heat
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, particularly in the South East. 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." Cooler, unsettled conditions are expected from the north and west later in the week, with a mix of sunshine and showers, and a small risk of isolated thunderstorms in northern areas.
