As Britain endures its fourth heatwave of the summer, a yellow heat health alert has been extended across vast swathes of England, with authorities warning of significant impacts on public health, agriculture, and the environment. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have both sounded the alarm, extending warnings until 6pm on Monday, August 18, 2025, for Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the West Midlands, the East of England, London, the South East, and the South West. Devon and Cornwall have also been under alert since Monday, with temperatures set to soar and storms threatening to compound the crisis.
For millions, the news means another week of sweltering heat, restless nights, and the ever-present risk of sudden thunderstorms. The warnings, downgraded from amber to yellow, still signal that the weather poses a danger to vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. According to the UKHSA, the high temperatures could put considerable strain on health and social care services, potentially resulting in a rise in deaths among people aged 65 and over or those with chronic illnesses.
On Tuesday, August 12, the mercury hit 33.4C in Benson, Oxfordshire, and Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire—just a few tenths shy of the summer’s record. Northolt in north-west London also reached the same sweltering peak, while Cardiff in Wales saw 32.8C, Charterhall in Scotland hit 29.4C, and Armagh in Northern Ireland reached 27.8C. The Met Office expects temperatures to dip slightly as the week goes on, but not by much. “On Thursday, there will still be a few showers, particularly in the North, and it will not be quite as hot, but temperatures will still peak around 29C to 30C in East and South East England,” explained Marco Petagna, a Met Office meteorologist, speaking to Sky News. By Friday, the heat is forecast to return in force, with highs of 31C in the South and South East, while Scotland will see more moderate temperatures in the low 20s.
But it’s not just the heat that’s making headlines. The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for most of Scotland, in effect from 2pm until midnight on Wednesday, August 13, with the potential for up to 30mm of rain to fall in less than an hour and as much as 50mm locally. Hail and gusty winds are also on the cards. Northern England and Northern Ireland are bracing for isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued flood alerts across 19 regions, warning of significant localised flooding from surface water and smaller rivers. The storms are expected to drift northwards from Scotland into the Northern Isles, bringing lightning, hail, and heavy rain.
For those in the South East, the reprieve from relentless sunshine comes with its own risks. Heavy rain and thunder battered London and Kent on Wednesday afternoon, with thick clouds and the threat of further thundery showers lingering overnight. Despite these bursts of rain, the underlying issue remains: water shortages are reaching nationally significant levels. The National Drought Group—a coalition including the Met Office, regulators, government, and water companies—met on Tuesday to address what it called “a nationally significant incident.” Five areas of England remain in outright drought, while six more are officially in prolonged dry weather status. The six-month period to July 2025 was the driest since 1976, and the environmental consequences are mounting.
Hosepipe bans remain in force in Yorkshire, and in areas served by Thames Water, South East Water, and Southern Water. Millions are now affected by these restrictions, aimed at curbing water consumption as reservoirs dwindle. The National Drought Group reports that England is suffering widespread environmental and agricultural effects from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing the risk of wildfires. The group noted, “England is suffering from nationally significant water shortfalls, despite rain in July.”
The impact of the heatwave is being felt beyond the fields and reservoirs. On Wednesday, firefighters in North Yorkshire declared a major incident after a moor fire near RAF Fylingdales spread over five square kilometers, with 20 pumps deployed to tackle the blaze. North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue has been battling the fire on Langdale Moor since Tuesday morning. In a joint statement, David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and Jo Coles, deputy mayor for policing, fire and crime, expressed gratitude to emergency responders: “We want to thank the firefighters, emergency service workers and partner agencies for their response to this incident.”
Climate experts say that heatwaves like these are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. According to a World Health Organization advisory group cited by BBC News, extreme weather events in Europe should be treated as “a health emergency, not just a climate one.” The Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health reported that heat-related mortality in Europe has increased by 30% in the past two decades, with more than 100,000 deaths recorded. The heatwave threshold in the UK is defined as at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding 25C for most of the country, and 28C in London and its surroundings. This summer, those thresholds have been met repeatedly, especially in the South East and London.
As the weekend approaches, the forecast offers little relief. While Thursday will still be warm, with highs of 29C in eastern and south-east England, Friday could see temperatures rise above 30C in the South East and reach the mid to high 20s elsewhere. The weekend promises more sunshine and heat, with the South West expected to see 30C on Saturday and 29C on Sunday. While some areas will experience cloudy mornings, sunshine will dominate for most, and the lack of significant rain into next week remains a major concern—especially for farmers, growers, and those living in drought-stricken regions.
For many, the question is no longer if these heatwaves will return, but how communities can adapt to their growing frequency and intensity. The combination of record-breaking temperatures, sudden storms, and chronic drought is stretching the UK’s resources and resilience in ways not seen for decades. As the country waits for cooler days and steadier rain, the lessons of this summer are already clear: extreme weather is the new normal, and the consequences are being felt in every corner of the nation.
