An amber Extreme Heat warning has been declared by the Met Office for areas across southern and eastern England, along with south Wales. This alert covers Monday and Tuesday, with forecasts indicating temperatures could reach 35C (95F). Nights will provide little reprieve, with some areas staying above 20C.
Officials emphasize potential health risks, particularly for vulnerable individuals, including heat exhaustion and sunburn. Commuters should anticipate travel delays and potential service disruptions. This marks the fifth amber alert issued since the system started in 2021, and the first since the historic 40C heatwave in 2022.
This Met Office warning is distinct from the Heat Health Alerts previously released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which focus specifically on the strain on health and social care services. While parts of the UK will remain cooler with rain, the south-east is expected to see a sharp rise in heat, with many regions hitting official heatwave thresholds. High humidity, intense UV levels, and elevated pollen counts are expected, with the potential for localized thunderstorms to further complicate conditions. While Scotland and Northern Ireland will see milder temperatures in the low to mid-20s, the rest of the country prepares for a significant period of sweltering weather.