Saturday offered a momentary respite from a heatwave that pushed temperatures above 30C in parts of the UK on Friday, as fresher air from the west suppressed highs to 27 or 28C in south-east England. But the reprieve will be short-lived: temperatures are set to climb again on Sunday, peaking at 34 or 35C by Tuesday in the south-east, prompting the Met Office to issue only its sixth amber extreme heat warning since the system was introduced in 2021.
The warning, covering much of southern and eastern England and parts of south Wales, will come into force at 01:00 BST on Monday and remain valid until 23:59 on Tuesday. “While heatwave criteria will be met for some in the south and south-east of England over the weekend,” said Greg Wolverson, a deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, the amber warning reflects the severity of what is to come. For a hot spell to officially become a heatwave, temperatures must exceed a threshold ranging from 25 to 28C for three consecutive days. Parts of south-east England have recorded two days above the threshold, meaning a third on Saturday would declare a heatwave — though maximum temperatures may fall slightly short.
“Saturday gives brief relief after 30C, but amber extreme heat warning begins Monday with temperatures to reach 34-35C.”
The UK Health Security Agency has already issued a separate amber alert, warning that the expected high temperatures could significantly affect health and wellbeing, particularly among those aged 65 or over or with health conditions. The alert also flagged a likely rise in deaths and an increase in “water-related incidents”, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning. At least 15 people died after getting into trouble in open water during a hot spell in May.
Ross MacLeod, the water safety manager for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, urged caution: “Cold water shock is a real danger. The sea or open water may look inviting during hot weather, but it remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which can cause uncontrollable gasping, increased heart rate, and can lead to panic and drowning very quickly. It’s best to enter the water slowly to gradually acclimatise.” He advised anyone in danger to “float to live” — relax on their back, head tilted back, moving hands and legs to stay afloat — and to call for help rather than attempting a rescue.
Tropical nights, with overnight temperatures remaining above 20C, are expected in some locations, adding to the strain on people and infrastructure. High UV and pollen levels are anticipated in many areas. As the mercury climbs, the question remains whether the weekend’s respite will be enough to prepare for the intense heat to come.