UK Heatwave: England Faces Amber Health Alerts and 36C 2026

Key Points

• UK Heat Wave: Amber heat health warnings have been issued across all regions in England except for North East where there will be yellow warning.
• The warnings will last until 9am on Friday, August 14th, 2026, starting at 9am on Tuesday, August 11th, 2026, as announced by the UK Health Security Agency.
• Temperatures might hit 36C across some parts of east Anglia and southeast England, and Thursday will be the hottest day.
• UKHSA has also warned of huge pressure exerted on the health and social care systems as well as an increase in deaths among individuals aged 65 and above.
• The country has matched its record of the highest number of days when temperatures exceed 30C per year with 34 recorded days in 2026.
• The heat wave will mark the fifth heat wave of the year in parts of the UK.
• The Met Office has also warned of potential disruption of railway lines, electricity network and other critical infrastructures due to extreme heat.
• Dry weather has resulted in droughts and wildfires in some parts of the UK.

 UK (Wales Times) August 10, 2026 – Amber heat-health alerts have been issued across nearly the whole of England as forecasters predict temperatures of up to 36C later this week, with Thursday currently expected to bring the highest temperatures.

The alerts, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, cover every English region except the North East. Amber alerts are in place across the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London, while the North East has been placed under a yellow alert.

According to the report published by Radio Royal and attributed to Sky News, the alerts are due to begin at 9am on Tuesday and remain in force until 9am on Friday. The UKHSA said the high temperatures could have significant consequences for health and social care services, with increased demand expected across the sector.

Why have amber heat-health alerts been issued?

Amber heat-health alerts are issued when high temperatures are expected to create a significant risk to public health and place additional pressure on health and social care services.

The UKHSA warning states that “significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures”. It also warns of a possible rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over, alongside increased demand for health and social care services.

The alerts do not mean that every person will experience serious health effects. However, they indicate that the combination of high temperatures, warm nights and prolonged heat may create more difficult conditions for older people, those with underlying health conditions, young children and people who work outdoors.

The warning also places responsibility on services and communities to prepare for increased demand. Health and social care providers may need to monitor vulnerable people more closely, while families, neighbours and carers may need to check on people who could struggle in hot conditions.

When will temperatures reach 36C?

The week is expected to begin with comparatively cooler conditions before temperatures rise from Tuesday. The Met Office forecast suggests that temperatures could reach around 30C in parts of England and Wales on Tuesday, rising to between 32C and 34C across southern and south-eastern England on Wednesday.

The highest temperatures are currently expected on Thursday, when parts of East Anglia and the south-east could reach 36C. The heat is forecast to ease later in the week, with temperatures returning to the mid-20s in some areas during the weekend.

As reported by Sky News, Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said highs in the mid-30s were likely to be reached widely across England and Wales on Wednesday and Thursday.

“We’ll probably see highs reaching the mid-30s quite widely on Wednesday, and indeed on Thursday too,”

Mr Morgan said, according to the report.

He added that Thursday appeared to be the most likely hottest day of the week, with 36C considered a reasonable local possibility and a small chance of temperatures climbing higher.

The forecast remains subject to change because the exact location and intensity of the hottest air can shift as the weather system develops. The areas most likely to experience the highest temperatures are currently expected to be in the Midlands, the M4 corridor, East Anglia and south-east England.

Which parts of England are under alert?

The UKHSA has issued amber alerts for almost every region of England. The affected areas include:

• The East Midlands.
• The West Midlands.
• The East of England.
• The South East.
• The South West.
• Yorkshire and the Humber.
• London.

The North East is the only English region covered by a yellow alert rather than an amber alert.

The difference reflects the expected level of risk in each area. Amber alerts indicate that significant impacts are likely, while yellow alerts indicate that the heat may affect the health and wellbeing of the population, particularly people who are more vulnerable to high temperatures.

The alert areas may be reviewed if the forecast changes. The Sky News report said that the Met Office was considering whether to issue an amber warning for extreme heat as temperatures increase later in the week.

How could the heat affect health and social care?

High temperatures can create a particular risk for older people and those living with heart, lung or other long-term health conditions. The UKHSA said the current heat could increase mortality among people aged 65 and over and lead to greater demand for health and social care services.

The impact may extend beyond hospital admissions. Care homes, community health services, emergency departments and social care providers could all face additional pressure as the hot weather continues.

The warnings are also relevant to people who may not consider themselves vulnerable. Outdoor workers, people exercising in hot conditions, those travelling during the hottest part of the day and people living in poorly ventilated homes may experience heat-related problems.

The risk can increase when hot days are followed by warm nights because the body has less opportunity to cool down. This can lead to tiredness, dehydration and worsening symptoms for people with existing health problems.

The information in the report does not suggest that a particular number of deaths or hospital admissions will occur during this alert period. Instead, it records the UKHSA’s warning that the likelihood of health impacts and service pressure is expected to rise.

Has the UK broken a heat record in 2026?

The UK has equalled its record for the number of days in a year on which temperatures reached at least 30C. At least 30.6C was recorded on Sunday, taking the total number of 30C-plus days in 2026 to 34.

That matches the record set in 1995. The figure could increase if the forecast hot weather produces further days above 30C later this week.

The current forecast follows two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June, which the report said were linked to more than 2,700 excess deaths. The highest temperature recorded so far this year was 38C at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 28.

The figures show that the current hot spell forms part of a wider pattern of unusually warm conditions during 2026. However, they do not by themselves determine how long the August heatwave will last or whether it will set a new temperature record.

What is the impact on infrastructure and farming?

The Met Office has warned that extreme heat could affect infrastructure, including railway lines and power networks. Very high temperatures can create operational challenges for transport and energy systems, potentially affecting travel and the delivery of services.

The report did not identify specific railway routes or power companies that would be disrupted. Any impact will depend on the intensity of the heat, local conditions and the resilience of individual networks.

Farmers are also reporting serious effects from the dry weather. The report said UK farmers had described the conditions as a “disaster” for crops, amid predictions of possible food shortages and price increases.

England and Wales experienced their driest July since records began, according to the report. Nineteen counties across England recorded 1mm or less rainfall during the month, while half of England and all of Wales were experiencing drought conditions.

The combination of heat and limited rainfall has increased pressure on agriculture and water resources. It has also left vegetation and rural land vulnerable to fire.

Where have wildfires been reported?

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident after 14 crews attended two separate fires near Mansfield. In Hampshire, 26 fire engines were sent to a blaze near the A31 after a vehicle fire spread to nearby heathland.

The report also referred to recent fires at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, Headon Warren on the Isle of Wight, Llanwonno in the Rhondda Valleys in South Wales, and the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.

The incidents occurred during a period of widespread dry weather. The report linked the conditions to drought and said the risk of further fires remained a concern as another spell of high temperatures approached.

While most of England is expected to experience the heat, conditions elsewhere in the UK are not uniform. More than 100mm of rain fell in north-west Scotland over two days, according to the Met Office, while rain was also affecting parts of northern England and Northern Ireland.

How does this heatwave fit the wider weather pattern?

The August heatwave follows a summer marked by repeated periods of high temperatures, dry conditions and rainfall contrasts across the UK. The report described the expected spell as the fifth heatwave of the summer for parts of the country.

It also linked the recent weather to human-caused climate change, principally from the burning of fossil fuels. The report said climate change is making extreme weather events more likely and more intense.

This does not mean that every individual hot day can be attributed solely to climate change. However, longer-term climate evidence indicates that the frequency and intensity of heatwaves are increasing, creating greater risks for public health, infrastructure, water supplies and agriculture.

What is the background to the alert system?

The UKHSA’s heat-health alert system is designed to provide advance information about the possible health and social care consequences of hot weather. Alerts help services prepare for conditions that could increase illness, deaths and demand for support.

The current warning follows earlier heat-health alerts during the summer. The repeated alerts reflect the number of hot spells recorded in 2026, although the severity and geographical coverage have varied between events.

The Met Office and UKHSA issue separate but related information. The Met Office provides weather forecasts and weather warnings, while the UKHSA focuses on the expected consequences for health and social care. Their assessments can be updated as forecasts develop.

The UK has also experienced major heat events in previous years. The report said the summer’s extreme conditions were taking place against a background of more frequent heatwaves associated with climate change.

How could the UK heatwave affect the public?

The UK heatwave is likely to have its greatest immediate effect on people in the amber-alert areas, particularly older adults, people with underlying health conditions, young children, outdoor workers and those who may not have access to cool indoor spaces.

Health and social care services could face additional demand during the alert period, while transport and energy networks may experience pressure if temperatures reach the forecast levels. Farmers and rural communities could remain exposed to drought and wildfire risks if significant rainfall does not follow the hot spell.

The forecast currently points to the hottest conditions on Thursday, with some easing expected towards the weekend. Further Met Office and UKHSA updates will determine whether the alert areas, warning levels or dates change.