Met Office Issues Amber Extreme Heat Warning
The Met Office has issued an amber Extreme Heat warning for specific areas of southern and eastern England, along with south Wales. This alert, effective for Monday and Tuesday, forecasts peak temperatures of 35C (95F). Overnight temperatures are also expected to remain high, possibly exceeding 20C in some regions.
This warning highlights potential health impacts, particularly for vulnerable individuals, and carries risks of sunburn and heat exhaustion. Furthermore, the public should anticipate possible travel disruptions and delays.
This is only the fifth amber Extreme Heat warning issued by the Met Office since the system was implemented in 2021, and the first since the red warning accompanied the 40C heatwave in 2022. It is distinct from the amber and yellow Heat Health Alerts previously issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which focus on the impact on health and social care services, including a likely increase in mortality among the elderly and vulnerable. The Met Office's warning, by contrast, indicates broader impacts on the general population.
Expected Temperature Rise and Conditions
Temperatures on Friday are projected to reach 31-32C (88-90F) in south-east England, while northern and western parts of the UK will experience cooler weather and continued rainfall. A slight dip in temperatures is expected on Saturday with cooler air from the west, though highs of 27-28C (81-82F) are still likely.
However, the heat is set to intensify from Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday seeing temperatures peak at 34-35C (93-95F) in south-east England. During this period, large areas of England and Wales are expected to experience highs in the high-20s or low-30s Celsius, likely meeting official heatwave criteria in many locations.
Extended periods of sunshine will lead to high or very high UV levels, and pollen levels are also predicted to be very high in certain areas. High humidity will contribute to an uncomfortable atmosphere, with overnight temperatures potentially staying above 20C (68F) in some places, offering little respite from the heat. Isolated heavy downpours and thunderstorms are also possible, which could cause localized disruption.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to avoid the most extreme heat, but will still experience temperatures in the low to mid-20s Celsius.
Source: Amber Extreme Heat warning issued by Met Office as 35C heatwave approaches