As Wales braces itself for yet another surge of sweltering weather, communities across the country are rallying together to help residents cope with what has become an increasingly familiar challenge. With temperatures in Cardiff soaring to 32.8°C on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, and forecasts predicting highs of 29°C heading into the weekend of August 16-17, many parts of Wales are now enduring their fourth heatwave of the year. While the north and coastal regions can expect somewhat cooler conditions, the persistent heat has prompted local groups, care homes, and public agencies to take action.
One of the most visible responses has been the creation of so-called "cool spaces"—designated areas where people can escape the oppressive warmth of their homes and find some respite. At the heart of this grassroots effort is Caldicot's TogetherWorks community centre in Monmouthshire. Manager Isla Arendell explained the centre’s evolving role to BBC reporters: "I suppose it's come off from the warm space during the winter, we're looking at perhaps being sort of like a cool space where people can come in, chill, we've got a lovely community garden people can sit in." The centre has distributed more than 100 donated electric fans, which Arendell said had proved "very popular" among locals seeking relief.
For many, these community efforts are more than just a convenience—they’re a lifeline. John Hubbard, 72, a regular at the men’s breakfast club hosted at TogetherWorks, shared his own strategy for keeping cool: "It's sort of counter to what we normally do in this country, but closing the windows, even if it's really hot, is the thing to do." He added, "Unfortunately, our best rooms are our lounge and our bedroom face south, so we get the full blast of the sun." Tony Knight, 81, echoed the sentiment: "I like the hot weather as long as it's not too hot. I go out every day for a walk, but if it's too hot I walk around the supermarkets and it's nice."
But while some are able to adapt their routines, others—especially the elderly or those in care—face more significant challenges. At Pen-Y-Bont Care home in Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, staff have been working tirelessly to keep communal spaces cool and ensure residents stay hydrated. Staff member Luke Griffiths described their approach: "We think ahead, we do monitor our residents' fluid intake, we set fluid targets for each resident, we encourage regular breaks for our staff members as well and we ensure the ventilation is correct in the building."
Residents at the care home have felt the strain. John Greenland, 65, admitted, "I don't like it. If I'm hot I try and cool down a bit. I have a lot of drinks. I get very hot and I sweat like anything." Martha Lowman, 80, said she tries to avoid the sun and drinks plenty of fluids, but still finds the weather "exhausting really. It's quite unusual for us to have such hot weather. When I lived in Australia, it was normal out there but this is not normal for us."
The current heatwave is not just a matter of comfort. On Thursday, August 14, 2025, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) officially declared drought conditions in southeast Wales, citing the driest six-month period since the infamous drought of 1976. According to Rhian Thomas of NRW, "The lack of significant rainfall has taken its toll on the environment, and we are receiving reports of low flows and dry riverbeds in some locations, low groundwater levels as well as reports of fish in distress and algal blooms." She noted that catchments in southeast Wales have been particularly impacted, with rivers Usk and Wye recording persistently high temperatures that threaten fish populations.
Despite the drought declaration, Welsh Water has moved to reassure the public that there is currently no shortage of drinking water. A spokesperson stated, "We have no concerns about reservoir levels across our operating area, with most at levels close to what we would expect at this time of year. We are managing the extra demand associated with the dry weather in terms of preserving storage within our network service reservoirs, but at this stage we have no plans to introduce any temporary use bans." Still, the company urged residents to take sensible precautions and use water wisely, especially as the hot, dry spell continues.
The environmental impacts of the prolonged dry weather are already being felt. In addition to low river flows and dry riverbeds, NRW has received reports of fish in distress and algal blooms—both signs of an ecosystem under stress. The rivers Usk and Wye, vital arteries for local wildlife and communities alike, have been hit particularly hard by persistently high temperatures, further underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
While it’s always tempting to chalk up a hot summer to simple bad luck, scientists caution that there’s more at play. As BBC meteorologist Sabrina Lee explained, "We expect our summers to be hotter and drier. When we get heatwaves, they're expected to become more frequent and intense and there's going to be more concerns in the future when it comes to wildfires and droughts." Lee warned that the tone of weather forecasts is likely to become more serious as the impacts of climate change become more pronounced. "We expect to have to adapt in future years, so our daily routines may have to be changed. For example, when we take the dog for a walk, or if you're an outdoor worker, you have to tweak your schedule to avoid some of that heat."
With the weekend promising more high temperatures, health professionals are urging people to take extra care if they plan to spend time outdoors. Celyn-Mai Clement, 23, from St John Ambulance Cymru, shared some practical advice: "We advise that you cover up using loose light clothing but the best advice is to use sunscreen." She also recommended staying hydrated and wearing a hat and sunglasses to avoid eye damage.
For many in Wales, the heatwaves of 2025 are a wake-up call. The combination of community action, official guidance, and personal adaptation is helping people weather the storm for now, but the frequency and intensity of these events suggest that longer-term changes may be needed. Whether it’s altering daily routines, investing in public cool spaces, or rethinking water management strategies, the message is clear: Wales is learning to live with a new kind of summer.
As the sun beats down and the rivers run low, the resilience of Welsh communities is on full display. From community centres to care homes, from city dwellers to rural residents, the people of Wales are finding ways—big and small—to stay cool, stay safe, and look out for one another in a changing climate.
