The Met Office has expanded its amber extreme heat warning across 71 areas of the UK, forecasting temperatures that could climb to 36 or 37C (97-99F) in parts of the country – raising the prospect of a new June temperature record. The warning, which comes into force at 1am on Monday and remains until 11.59pm on Tuesday, cautions that the blistering conditions could trigger power cuts as “heat-sensitive systems and equipment” fail, leading to “power cuts and the loss of other services to homes and businesses”.
A slightly cooler Saturday meant nowhere has yet met the official heatwave criteria, which requires temperatures to exceed a threshold – varying from 25-28C (77-82F) across different parts of the country – for three consecutive days. But Sunday is expected to begin a period of intense hot weather that is “very likely to become a heatwave, especially for parts of England and Wales”. Parts of southern and eastern England are likely to face heatwaves during the weekend, with the mercury set to hit up to 35C in London at the start of next week.
“Met Office expands amber extreme heat warning across 71 areas as UK faces potential 37C heatwave and June record.”
By Wednesday, even higher values of 37C (99F) are possible, and there is “growing confidence” the UK’s June temperature record of 35.6C, established in Southampton in 1976, could be surpassed. The mercury already hit 31.2C in Writtle, Essex, on Friday. This is only the sixth amber extreme heat warning the Met Office has issued since they were introduced in 2021.
The heat is spreading northwards from France, where an intense hot spell affecting much of western Europe threatens to break temperature records. Large parts of Western Europe are set to endure the second extreme heat wave of the year, with temperatures expected to reach 42C in France where half of the population is under a severe weather warning.
The warning brings potential health effects for people vulnerable to extreme heat and heat-related issues for the wider population, as well as a potential increase in water safety incidents. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts for the east, south-east and south-west of England, as well as London, until 8pm on Tuesday.
High UV and pollen levels are anticipated in many places. There will be “tropical nights” in some locations where overnight temperatures are expected to remain above 20C (68F). Met Office deputy chief forecaster Greg Wolverson said: “While heatwave criteria will be met for some in the south and south-east of England over the weekend, with temperatures into the low 30Cs possible, the warmth will expand and intensify at the start of next week, which, coupled with high temperatures overnight, leads to potential impacts. … The humidity will also mean this feels close, warmer and more uncomfortable for many.”
The hot weather may bring thunder and downpours for some on Monday and Tuesday, but this forecast should be “fairly isolated”, the Met Office said. As the UK braces for the scorching conditions, the question remains whether infrastructure can cope with the prolonged heat – and if this will become the new normal.