The United Kingdom is bracing for its fourth heatwave of the summer, with forecasters warning that temperatures could soar to the mid-30s Celsius next week, potentially bringing widespread impacts across the country. The Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have both sounded the alarm, issuing a yellow heat health alert for large swathes of England as a warm Atlantic plume, fueled by the remnants of tropical Storm Dexter, sweeps in from the southwest.
According to the Met Office, the heatwave is set to begin in earnest on Sunday, August 10, as temperatures start to climb, with the mercury expected to reach its peak between Monday, August 11, and Wednesday, August 13. Central, southern, and eastern England are forecast to bear the brunt of the extreme heat, with highs possibly touching 34°C in some areas by midweek. London, in particular, is expected to see temperatures reach 29°C on Monday and Tuesday, climbing to 30°C on Wednesday, before dipping slightly on Thursday.
The UKHSA’s yellow alert, which runs from noon on Monday until 6 pm on Wednesday, covers London, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the East of England, the South East, and the South West. The agency warns that the high temperatures could have significant impacts on health and social care services, particularly for vulnerable groups such as older people, those with serious or long-term illnesses, and individuals on medications that increase susceptibility to heat. The NHS has also highlighted risks for babies, those who are bed bound, people with addictions or Alzheimer’s disease, and anyone spending extended periods outdoors.
"The general pattern is that we’ll see temperatures start to increase from Sunday and the duration of the heat is likely to last until Tuesday, possibly Wednesday," said Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, as reported by Sky News. "We’re likely to see temperatures get to high 20s across quite a lot of the UK, and in the south we’re likely to see the possibility of temperatures reaching mid-30s degrees centigrade across parts of central, southern and eastern England, with the likelihood that the heat will probably last longest in places like East Anglia, up through Lincolnshire and into Yorkshire."
The definition of a heatwave in the UK depends on regional temperature thresholds, typically requiring three consecutive days above 25°C for most areas, with higher thresholds for the South and East, and up to 28°C in London. While Manchester and much of Lancashire are forecast to see highs of 24°C to 27°C early in the week, falling just short of official heatwave criteria, the southeast and London are well within the danger zone. The hottest day of the year so far was July 1, when St James’s Park in central London recorded a blistering 34.7°C.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Keates echoed the warnings, stating, "We’re confident that temperatures will increase markedly by the start of next week, reaching the low 30s Celsius in parts of England on Monday and perhaps the mid 30s in a few places on Tuesday. However, the length of this warm spell is still uncertain, and it is possible that high temperatures could persist further into next week, particularly in the south." He added, "Ex-Dexter sets the wheels in motion for an uptick in temperatures, but the weather patterns then maintaining any hot weather are rather more uncertain."
Data from WX Charts, based on Met Desk information, indicates that the heatwave could stretch over five days, starting Wednesday, August 13, with highs of 29°C and peaking at 33°C later in the week. The heat is expected to linger through the weekend, potentially extending the spell of hot weather into Sunday, August 17. The Met Office’s longer-term outlook, covering August 12 to August 21, suggests that while the southeast will see the most intense heat, the northwestern parts of the UK may continue to experience more changeable and breezy conditions, with cooler, fresher weather returning once the high-pressure system moves on.
Firefighters have also raised concerns as the heatwave approaches, following a record-breaking dry summer that has left much of the country’s green spaces parched and highly flammable. The London Fire Brigade has responded to nearly 80 incidents of suspected arson so far this summer, with major blazes in Dagenham and Erith prompting evacuations and significant damage to nature reserves and grassland. Assistant Commissioner Tom Goodall urged the public to act responsibly, warning, "While some wildfires can occur naturally, particularly during spells of extreme dryness and heat, the majority of these fires can be easily avoided by the public behaving responsibly. What might seem like harmless fun has the potential to have devastating consequences especially in London when so many of our green spaces lie close to properties."
Goodall also advised against bringing disposable barbecues to parks, burning waste, or having bonfires, particularly as the hot, dry conditions make it easy for fires to spread rapidly. Smokers are being asked to dispose of cigarettes properly, and all park users are encouraged to take their rubbish home if bins are full. "We’re also strongly advising people to avoid burning any waste in this type of weather and to not have bonfires, particularly in their gardens," he added.
The heat is not confined to the UK. According to Sky News, much of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa are also experiencing extreme temperatures, with Spain and Portugal seeing highs in the low to mid-40s and France expected to top 40°C on Sunday and Monday. The Netherlands and Germany are also forecast to reach the mid-30s next week. The rising temperatures could trigger heavy and thundery downpours in parts of the UK, particularly in the south, as the hot air destabilizes the atmosphere.
Looking ahead, Sky weather producer Kirsty McCabe noted, "High pressure will extend from the Azores, allowing temperatures to rise, especially in the South where heatwave criteria is likely to be met early next week. The fourth heatwave of the summer will see temperatures reach the high 20s or low 30s, peaking around 33°C on Tuesday across central and southern parts of England. Overnight temperatures will also rise, leading to some warm and stuffy nights from Monday night onwards."
For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, there may be a rare opportunity in the north of the country on Friday night, thanks to a coronal mass ejection from the sun. However, cloud cover could make viewing difficult, so sky-watchers will need a bit of luck.
With the UK set for another blast of extreme summer heat, authorities are urging everyone to take precautions, look out for vulnerable neighbors, and avoid behaviors that could spark wildfires. The coming week may be a scorcher, but with preparation and care, the country can weather the heatwave safely.