Amber heat health alerts in effect as UK set for one of longest-lasting heatwaves since 1976
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- UK Health Security Agency issued amber heat health alerts covering the Midlands, eastern and southern England, alongside yellow alerts for northern England, both running until 21:00 BST on 12 July.
- Temperatures could reach 35C in parts of southern England this week, with the north stuck in the mid-20s; Wednesday's top UK reading was 33.7C at Heathrow, after Tuesday peaks of 32.4C at Teddington and Frittenden, Kent.
- Some southern locations could remain in heatwave conditions for as many as 14 days, putting this stretch on track to rival the 1976 heatwave, when England recorded 13 to 16 consecutive days above 30C.
- UKHSA warned of significant impacts on health and social care services, including a likely rise in deaths particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with pre-existing health conditions.
- Humidity levels have been lower than during the late June heatwave, making the heat feel less oppressive, but they are now climbing again — and tropical nights above 20C are possible later in the week in larger towns and cities.
- An easterly wind shift toward the end of the week is expected to drag the focus of 30C-plus temperatures westward, with South Wales potentially hitting 33C on Friday as eastern areas see a slight dip.
Why it matters: A sustained 14-day heatwave would meaningfully extend pressure on NHS and social care services at a time when UKHSA is already flagging a likely rise in deaths among the over-65s and people with health conditions — the same vulnerability group that bore the brunt of the 2022 heatwaves.
