England Faces Fifth Heatwave as Health Warnings Expand 2026

Key Points

• There are heat-health alerts in effect across all areas of England prior to the fifth heatwave of 2026.
• The UK Health Security Agency moved the North East region from yellow to amber alert starting Tuesday 11 August at 9am until Friday 14 August at 9pm.
• Temperature will be up to 29C in Cardiff, 28C in Manchester and 25C in London before moving into mid-30s.
• According to the forecast from the Met Office, the temperature will peak at 36C on Thursday while in another forecast from the Met Office, temperatures are likely to reach 38C.
• Almost three-quarters of England is currently facing “flash drought” situation, according to the Environment Agency.
• Firefighters are tackling wildfires in areas such as Hampshire and South Wales.
• It has been indicated by officials that the elderly, sick and people living alone are at higher risk due to the heatwave.
• Heatwave will end over the weekend though it is not going to be enough to compensate the lack of rainfall in the recent times.
• It has come after a highly unusual summer when the UK faced 35C temperature in May, June and July for the first time in its weather records.

  UK (Wales Times) August 13, 2026 – The UK Health Security Agency has placed an amber heat-health alert across every region of England as the country prepares for a fifth heatwave of the year.

The alert system was expanded after the North East was upgraded from yellow to amber. According to the UKHSA update published on GOV.UK, the amber alert applies from 9am on Tuesday 11 August until 9pm on Friday 14 August. Amber alerts were already in place across the North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West.

An amber heat-health alert indicates that high temperatures are likely to produce significant effects on health and social care services. The UKHSA has warned of greater risks for people aged over 65 and those with underlying conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.

The Standard reported that officials were urging people to take straightforward precautions, including drinking plenty of water, avoiding direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day and checking on vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours.

Polly Ashmore, acting consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said that hot weather could result in serious health outcomes for older adults and people with existing health conditions. She also urged health and social care services to prepare for increased demand and encouraged the public to make sure vulnerable people were aware of the forecast and following safety guidance.

How hot will Cardiff, Manchester and London become?

The immediate forecast points to a rapid rise in temperatures across parts of the UK.

The Standard reported that Tuesday highs were expected to reach 29C in Cardiff, 28C in Manchester and 25C in London. Those temperatures were forecast to rise substantially by Thursday, when some parts of the country could reach the mid-30s.

The Met Office forecast a possible high of 36C on Thursday, with the heatwave expected to affect large areas of England and Wales. The Standard said temperatures should fall over the weekend, bringing fresher air and some rain, although forecasters cautioned that the rainfall would not necessarily compensate for the shortfall built up over recent months.

A BBC Weather report separately said an amber Met Office warning for extreme heat had been issued for Thursday, when temperatures were expected to peak. The warning was scheduled to run from 9am to 11.59pm on Thursday. That report said temperatures could reach 38C.

The difference between the 36C and 38C forecasts reflects the changing nature of weather predictions and the possibility that the hottest conditions may be concentrated in particular locations. The Met Office’s official warnings and local forecasts remain the relevant sources for residents planning travel, work or outdoor activities.

Why is the heatwave increasing health risks?

Why can a period of hot weather place pressure on the health service? The main concern is the cumulative effect of high temperatures over several days, particularly when people cannot cool their homes or remain hydrated.

The UKHSA said amber alerts could lead to increased use of health services by vulnerable populations. Older adults, people with long-term medical conditions and those living alone may find it more difficult to recognise or respond to heat-related illness.

The agency’s advice includes keeping indoor spaces cool by closing curtains or blinds in rooms facing the sun, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding excess alcohol. People are also advised not to leave children, vulnerable adults or animals inside closed, parked vehicles.

The UKHSA recommends avoiding direct sunlight, particularly between 11am and 3pm, when ultraviolet levels are generally highest. Those who must go outside are advised to seek shade, wear suitable clothing and use sunscreen. Physical activity should be moved to cooler periods, such as the morning or evening.

The Standard reported that the alerts came after two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June, followed by further heatwaves in July. It said those earlier heatwaves were linked to more than 2,800 deaths, although the precise attribution of deaths to heat is determined through official health analysis rather than immediate weather reporting.

What is the drought situation in England?

The heatwave is developing alongside worsening water shortages and drought conditions.

The Environment Agency said 71.3% of England was experiencing “flash drought”. The term describes a drought that develops quickly through the combination of unusually low rainfall and high temperatures.

The agency said the country had experienced its driest July on record, followed by a dry start to August. It identified the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs as the latest areas to move into drought.

The Standard reported that around 45 million people were living in drought-affected areas and that 27 million customers were subject to hosepipe bans. It also reported that rivers and reservoirs were running low.

The effects extend beyond household water use. Farmers have warned of a difficult harvest and shortages of feed for livestock. The Standard reported warnings that prolonged heat across Europe could contribute to food-price pressures later in the year as lower agricultural output feeds through to supermarkets.

Where are wildfires being reported?

High temperatures, dry vegetation and wind are increasing the risk of wildfires in parts of England and Wales.

The Standard reported that firefighters were battling a fire in the New Forest National Park in Hampshire. The blaze began after a van caught fire on the nearby A31 near Ringwood on Sunday. The affected area is protected heathland and contains rare species, according to the New Forest National Park Authority.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said more than 120 firefighters were involved and that crews were expected to work through the night.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were attending multiple wildfire incidents, including fires at Cwmavon Woods in Blaenavon, Wattsville in the Sirhowy Valley and Abernant in Aberdare.

The Met Office has also highlighted the risk created by hot, dry conditions and freshening winds. In a separate report, the National Fire Chiefs Council urged people not to use disposable barbecues in countryside, park or moorland settings and to extinguish cigarettes completely.

The Met Office report said people should take care around water as well as fire. It warned that offshore winds can push paddleboarders and other water users away from the shore, even when the surface near the beach appears calm.

What does the latest heat mean for the wider summer?

The latest heatwave follows a series of unusual temperature records.

The Met Office reported that the UK had recorded temperatures of 35C or higher in May, June and July of the same year for the first time in the national weather record. It also said 2026 had already seen eight days above 34C, exceeding the previous record held jointly by 1976 and 2020.

Dr Amy Doherty, a Met Office science manager, described the temperature milestones as notable because exceptional warmth had been recorded across several months.

The Standard reported that the United Kingdom was increasingly facing the effects of drought, heatwaves and wildfires. It linked the broader trend to climate change, which is primarily driven by greenhouse-gas emissions from activities including fossil-fuel use in electricity generation, transport, heating and industry.

The latest heatwave is expected to subside over the weekend as cooler air and rain arrive. However, the Met Office and other agencies have cautioned that a short spell of rain would not necessarily restore depleted rivers, reservoirs, soils or agricultural supplies.

What should people do during the heatwave?

What practical steps can households take while the alerts remain active?

• Drink water regularly and carry fluids when travelling.
• Keep rooms cool by closing curtains or blinds on windows facing the sun.
• Avoid direct sunlight and strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Check on older people, neighbours, people with underlying health conditions and anyone living alone.
• Never leave children, vulnerable adults or animals in a parked vehicle.
• Use sunscreen, seek shade and wear suitable clothing, a hat and sunglasses outdoors.
• Arrange exercise, walking or other physical activity for the morning or evening.
• Check that medicines are stored according to their packaging instructions.
• Follow local advice before entering rivers, lakes or the sea.
• Take extra care with barbecues, cigarettes and other potential sources of ignition in dry countryside.

The UKHSA advises people to seek medical help if they are concerned about symptoms of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Its guidance also directs the public to NHS information on recognising and responding to heat-related illness.

Background: How have UK heat alerts developed in 2026?

The UKHSA issued its first amber heat-health alert of 2026 in May. The alerting system was subsequently adjusted several times as temperatures rose and fell across England.

In June, the UKHSA issued a red heat-health alert for six English regions. According to the agency, the red alert was the second of its kind, following the first red heat-health alert issued in July 2022. A red alert indicates a risk to life for the healthy population as well as vulnerable groups and warns of possible effects beyond health and social care, including on transport, energy, water, food supplies and businesses.

The Met Office said July marked an unprecedented point in the UK temperature record because 35C or higher was recorded in May, June and July. Earlier official reporting also identified an unusually high number of days above 34C.

The current episode is being described by news organisations as the fifth heatwave of the year. It is occurring while large parts of England face drought, water restrictions and elevated wildfire risk, making the consequences broader than temperature alone.

Prediction: How could the heatwave affect UK residents?

How could this development affect people living in England and Wales? In the short term, residents should expect disruption to normal routines, especially during the hottest hours on Thursday. Those who work outdoors, travel long distances, care for vulnerable people or take part in sport and recreation may face greater exposure to heat-related risks.

The amber UKHSA alerts are likely to increase pressure on health and social care services, particularly if high temperatures persist overnight or coincide with existing medical demand. Older people and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are expected to remain among the groups requiring the closest attention.

Drought and hosepipe restrictions may continue after the temperature falls because rainfall over a single weekend is unlikely to restore water supplies quickly. Farmers may also face further pressure from reduced soil moisture, damaged crops and limited livestock feed.

Wildfire risks could remain elevated wherever vegetation and ground conditions stay dry. Residents should therefore continue following local fire restrictions even after the peak temperature has passed.

The immediate forecast suggests cooler and wetter conditions will follow the heatwave over the weekend, but the longer-term effects will depend on rainfall, reservoir levels, soil conditions and whether further periods of extreme heat develop later in the summer.