Extreme heat alert across England and Wales
A rare red weather warning has been issued for parts of England and Wales as an intense heatwave is expected to push temperatures close to 40C later this week. The alert covers London, southern England, the Midlands, and parts of south east Wales.
The Met Office has warned that the conditions could cause major disruption and serious health risks.
When the heatwave will peak
The red warning is in place from Wednesday morning to Thursday night, with the highest temperatures expected during this period. Forecasters say highs could reach 39C to 40C in some areas, especially across southern England.
An amber warning is also active across much of central and southern England and most of Wales from Monday through Thursday.
Travel disruption and daily life impact
Officials expect widespread disruption to transport, schools, and daily routines. Some schools have already announced early closures due to safety concerns.
High humidity will make the heat feel even more intense, increasing discomfort and risk for people outdoors or without cooling.
Health risks and official warnings
Health experts have warned that this level of heat can cause serious illness, especially for older adults, young children, and people with existing health conditions.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a red heat health alert for several regions. It is only the second time such a warning has been used for heat.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, a senior health protection official, urged people to take the warning seriously and check on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
Night temperatures and tropical nights
Temperatures may remain unusually high overnight, staying above 21C to 22C in some areas. These are known as tropical nights and can increase health strain because the body does not cool down properly.
How this compares to UK records
If temperatures reach 40C, they would come close to the UK’s highest recorded temperature of 40.3C, which was recorded in 2022.
That record remains the highest temperature ever measured in the country.
