The UK is bracing for another heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 34°C in the south-east of England later next week. The Met Office forecasts that the mercury could hit 28°C on Saturday in the south, rising to 29°C on Sunday before climbing into the low 30s from Monday, peaking on Thursday or Friday.
While the heat is expected to be prolonged, lasting around a week, it will not be as intense or humid as the June heatwave that saw a record 37.7°C in Norfolk. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts for most of England, covering the east, East Midlands, West Midlands, south-west, London and the south-east, from midday on 4 July until 8pm on 11 July.
Health impacts and warnings
The UKHSA warns that the high temperatures could have minor impacts on health and social care services, particularly for vulnerable people. There is an increased risk to life for those with underlying health conditions, and a higher likelihood of water-related incidents due to cold water shock and drowning. The agency advises people to stay hydrated, keep cool, and check on elderly or isolated neighbours.
Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: “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. Elsewhere, it’s not as hot as we have got temperatures closer to average, but they will climb as we go into next week. The northern areas of the country will be cloudier with spells of rain at times, so there’s a north-south split.”
Hosepipe ban in Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Southern Water has announced a hosepipe ban starting from 12.01am on 10 July in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. The ban prohibits the use of hosepipes for non-essential activities such as watering gardens, filling paddling pools, hot tubs, swimming pools, ponds or fountains, and washing cars, patios or windows. This measure aims to conserve water supplies during the dry spell.
No heat health warnings are currently in place for Wales, though temperatures there are also expected to rise.
Comparison to June heatwave
The June heatwave saw the UK set a provisional record of 37.7°C in Lingwood, Norfolk, beating the previous June record of 35.6°C from 1976 by more than 2°C. The Met Office issued a rare red warning for extreme heat, the first time since the system was introduced in 2021 that such a warning was in place for three consecutive days. Many temperature records were challenged or exceeded during that period.
Mitchell added: “The peak of the heat appears to be Thursday or Friday: 34°C in the south-east. 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.”
Future climate trends
The frequency and intensity of heatwaves have increased worldwide. Met Office projections indicate that hot spells will become more frequent in the UK’s future climate, particularly in the south-east. Temperatures are expected to rise in all seasons, with the most intense heat occurring in summer. The current heatwave serves as a reminder of the need for preparedness and adaptation to a warming climate.
