Yellow heat health alerts are in place across large swaths of England this weekend, with temperatures set to hit 29C on Saturday — but forecasters say rain is finally on the way.
The warnings, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), came into force at 9am on Friday and will remain until 9am on Sunday. They cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, the east of England and London.
“Yellow heat health alerts cover parts of England as 29C forecast; rain expected but may not be widespread.”
UKHSA said the hot weather could have an impact across health and social care services and put vulnerable people at risk. Health chiefs also warned that water‑related incidents may increase, including risks from cold water shock and drowning.
Temperatures are set to reach 29C in London on Saturday, with 28C forecast for Birmingham and Norwich. But rain is expected to arrive from the north and west.
Met Office chief forecaster Steve Willington said: “The high pressure has been a key feature of the UK's weather forecast over the last few weeks, bringing above-average temperatures and extremely dry conditions for many. However, we will begin to see a modest change as a weak weather front pushes south across the UK on Saturday bringing some much-needed rain, albeit light and mainly concentrated in the North and West. Behind the front, a showery air mass will bring potentially heavy showers, some of which may be thundery.”
Showers are expected to roll in across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Saturday evening, before spreading further across the UK on Sunday. Greg Wolverson, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, explained that cooler weather can be expected from Sunday onwards, but temperatures will still remain average for the time of year.
“Although there is a return to rain in the forecast, we have just come out of an exceptionally dry spell and the forecast rain is unlikely to be widespread or substantial,” he said. “Many areas are likely to continue experiencing prevailing dry conditions for the foreseeable future, especially in southern England.”
The heat alert comes as millions of motorists are expected to take to the roads for summer getaways this weekend. The AA said around 6.3 million drivers are planning a road trip of more than 100 miles between Friday and Thursday. The Port of Dover is expecting another busy weekend but has worked to smooth any delays caused by new EU border checks.
Met Office forecasters said a band of rain across Scotland will move southeastwards, turning increasingly showery, while southern areas remain dry, sunny and very warm. Sunday should bring fresher conditions for all with sunny spells and some showers. Early next week, the north will see changeable weather, but the south could turn dry and very warm again.