The UK is officially in the grip of its third heatwave in as many months, with temperatures expected to exceed 35C in parts of the country later this week – prompting amber health alerts across swathes of England.
On Monday, the highest temperature was recorded as 34C in Teddington, south-west London, the Met Office said. South-east England has now met the heatwave criteria after three days of temperatures above 28C. Temperatures are forecast to rise further: parts of southern England could see highs of 32C on Tuesday, 33C on Wednesday and 34C on Thursday, with isolated areas reaching 35C on Friday and Saturday.
“Amber heat alerts issued as UK enters third heatwave, with temperatures forecast to reach 35C.”
Amber heat-health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the Midlands, eastern and southern England from 09:00 BST on 8 July to 21:00 BST on 12 July. Yellow alerts are in place for northern England over the same period. The agency warned of significant impacts across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
While the heatwave will be intense, the Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster, Steven Keates, stressed it is unlikely to break records. “Unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking,” he said. “Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s, and a few places could reach 34-35C later this week.”
The June heatwave peaked at a record 37.7C, recorded at Lingwood, Norfolk. That spell saw temperatures exceed 30C somewhere in the UK for seven consecutive days; the current forecasts suggest it could top 30C for up to ten days. Night-time temperatures are also expected to be less oppressive than in June, when “tropical nights” – where the mercury does not fall below 20C – were widespread. Some larger urban areas may still see overnight lows in the high teens later this week.
A north-south divide will persist through the first half of the week, with Scotland expected to see stronger winds and rain on Tuesday, Temperatures there will remain closer to average. By the weekend, warm air is forecast to reach northern parts of the UK, bringing increasingly humid conditions and a growing risk of showers or isolated thunderstorms.
The latest heatwave comes amid a broader pattern of accelerating climate breakdown. The last 11 years have been the warmest 11 years on record, with 2026 looking to continue that trend, according to Channel 4 News.
Early next week, temperatures are likely to fall slightly, though many areas will stay dry and warm. Keates urged people to “take the usual precautions with the heat and the sun”. The question now is whether this prolonged hot spell will become the new normal for British summers.