UK Faces 36C Heat as Fifth Heatwave of Summer Looms
Get the Energy newsletter
Daily energy & climate — solar, EVs, oil, the policy fights and tech bets shaping the transition. Free.
- Met Office forecasts UK temperatures reaching 36C (97F) on Wednesday and Thursday, with Thursday the most likely hottest day, and is considering issuing rare amber or red extreme heat warnings for the first time since June.
- Wales and half of England are officially in drought, with more regions expected to be declared affected at Monday's National Drought Group meeting.
- Environment Agency reports over 25 million people face water use restrictions, including all South East Water and Thames Water customers under hosepipe bans.
- UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat-health alerts for eight English regions, in place until 9pm Tuesday and likely to be extended.
- Sunday marked the 34th day this year UK temperatures exceeded 30C, equalling the 1995 record, while July was the driest in England and Wales since records began in 1836.
- Copernicus recorded average western European temperatures of 21.61C for June-July, breaking the record set in 2022.
- Two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June were linked to more than 2,800 excess deaths, according to the source.
Why it matters: With 2,800 excess deaths already linked to this summer's record heat, the Met Office is weighing its highest-tier amber or red extreme heat warnings — last issued in June — as Wales and half of England sit in drought and 25 million people face hosepipe bans going into the fifth heatwave.
Ask SkimNews
