UK faces third heatwave with 33C highs forecast
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- UK temperatures are forecast to exceed 30C starting this weekend, with highs reaching 33C in southern and south-eastern England — the third heatwave of the year for some areas.
- The UK Health Security Agency issued yellow heat health alerts for six English regions — East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, and South West — running from noon Saturday to 20:00 BST on 11 July.
- Western areas including Lancashire, the Lake District, western Scotland, and Northern Ireland will stay cooler at low-to-mid 20s due to an Atlantic breeze acting as a 'natural air conditioner.'
- North-east England and eastern Scotland could still reach mid-to-high 20s, with South Yorkshire potentially hitting 30C.
- Unlike June's record-breaking heatwave, this spell is expected to be less intense but significantly longer, potentially persisting into mid-July.
- The Azores High is driving the hot spell, extending a ridge of high pressure northeast over the UK while the jet stream shifts north and blocks Atlantic low-pressure systems.
Why it matters: UK Health Security Agency alerts across six English regions through 11 July put vulnerable populations — particularly older people and those with underlying conditions — at heightened risk during a multi-day heat event forecast to outlast June's record-breaking spike in duration.
