Britain is bracing for its fourth official heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to soar above 30°C across much of England and Wales in the coming days. According to the Met Office, highs could reach a sweltering 34°C in the south Midlands on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with central, southern, and eastern regions set to experience similar conditions. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts covering most of England from 12pm on Monday, August 11, through to 6pm on Wednesday, August 13, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The alerts, which include London, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, east of England, the South East, and South West, signal that the heat could put additional pressure on emergency services and hospitals. The UKHSA cautioned that there could be a rise in deaths among those aged 65 and over or people with pre-existing medical conditions. "We are expecting a rise in deaths among vulnerable groups, including those aged 65 and over or those with pre-existing health conditions," the agency stated, highlighting the potential for serious consequences.
Tom Morgan, a meteorologist at the Met Office, described the weather pattern as a clear "north-south split" for Monday, August 11. "Quite cloudy across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England, the rain tending to come and go, but most persistent in western Scotland. Otherwise, England and Wales seeing mostly sunny skies, although there will be more in the way of high level cloud out there compared to on Sunday, so the sunshine will be hazy at times," Morgan explained, as reported by Sky News and iNews.
Most areas in England and Wales are expected to see temperatures in the mid to high-20s on Monday, with some spots in London and the South East predicted to hit 31°C. By Tuesday, the heat will intensify, with forecasts showing London reaching 34°C, and other cities such as Birmingham, Hereford, Banbury, and Milton Keynes also expected to top 33°C. According to Met Office temperature maps, places like Cambridge, Peterborough, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Manchester could all experience highs above 30°C. Even northern locations such as Leeds and York are forecast to see the mercury hit 30°C or higher.
Wales could also make headlines, with a 10% chance that its August record temperature of 35.2°C, set at Hawarden in 1990, may be broken by Tuesday. Heatwave criteria—defined in the UK as three consecutive days with maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding a county-specific threshold—are likely to be met in central, southern, and eastern England by midweek, and possibly in parts of northern England and Wales as well.
But it’s not just the daytime heat causing concern. Uncomfortably hot "tropical nights," when temperatures remain above 20°C overnight, are expected in some areas. These warm nights can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups, as they offer little respite from the relentless heat. The UKHSA’s yellow alert underscores the increased risk for people over 65, young children, and those with chronic illnesses.
The cause of this latest heatwave lies in the interaction of weather systems: a low pressure system to the west and high pressure to the east are funneling hot continental air into the UK, especially the southern half. This setup is also affecting mainland Europe, with Spain, Portugal, and France all facing potentially record-breaking temperatures well into the 40°C range.
With the UK’s heatwave comes the heightened risk of wildfires. Emergency services have already been stretched by ongoing blazes. On Sunday, August 10, a major gorse fire broke out on Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, sending flames visible for miles. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Saturday, August 9, as around 100 firefighters battled a fire in Holt Heath, near Wimborne. Crews have also been tackling a large blaze at Newton Heath, near Swanage, which has been burning since the previous Sunday. In Kent, firefighters responded to a grass fire on Saturday as well.
These fires are exacerbated by the ongoing drought conditions gripping parts of the country. Five areas remain officially in drought status—Cumbria and Lancashire; Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire; Yorkshire; East Midlands; and West Midlands—following England’s driest start to the year since 1976. The lack of rainfall, combined with high temperatures and dry vegetation, has created tinderbox conditions across much of England and Wales.
Adding to the atmospheric drama, smoke from Canadian wildfires has blown across the Atlantic, which the Met Office says could result in "striking sunrises and sunsets" over the UK in the coming days. While the remnants of ex-tropical storm Dexter are heading toward the British Isles, meteorologists believe this will have only a minor impact, though there is some potential for rain and thunderstorms later on Monday and into Tuesday.
For those wondering what exactly constitutes a heatwave in the UK, the Met Office explains that it is an extended period of hot weather relative to what is expected for that time of year and location. The heatwave threshold varies by county: in London, it’s 28°C for three consecutive days, while in Yorkshire, it’s 25°C. Many parts of England look set to meet or exceed these thresholds, qualifying this spell as an official heatwave.
Looking ahead, temperatures are expected to fall a little from Wednesday, but conditions will remain very warm throughout the week. The UKHSA and Met Office both urge the public to take precautions: stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, and check in on elderly neighbors or those with health conditions. Cooling centers and additional resources may be made available in the most affected regions.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Connecticut in the US is also facing its fourth heatwave of the summer, with inland temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s Fahrenheit (about 35°C) from Monday through Thursday. Governor Ned Lamont’s office will activate the extreme hot weather protocol, opening cooling centers across the state. Connecticut’s southern region is facing a significant rain deficit, and while the state is not yet in drought, officials warn that dry conditions could persist if the hot weather continues.
As Britain and other parts of the world confront more frequent and intense heatwaves, the focus is increasingly on preparedness and resilience. For now, the message is clear: stay cool, stay safe, and keep an eye on the forecast as the summer of 2025 continues to break records and test communities across the UK and beyond.
