The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow heat health alert warning of dangerously warm conditions across parts of England. Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 heatwave.
A blistering heatwave is poised to arrive across substantial parts of the UK, with sweltering temperatures making a striking return. After a period of cooler, damp conditions, summer is set to stage a powerful comeback this weekend, with thermometer readings anticipated to climb as high as 30C according to the Met Office.
Yellow Heat Health Alert Details
The UKHSA has delivered a serious warning of "greater risk to life of vulnerable people" as a new yellow heat health alert is scheduled to take effect. The alert operates from 3pm on Wednesday, June 17, through to 8pm on Monday, June 22. Additional worries include increased pressure on healthcare services from vulnerable individuals, perilously warm indoor conditions, and an elevated risk of water-related incidents.
The UKHSA confirmed the warning will encompass London, the South East, East of England and the East Midlands, reports the Mirror.
Met Office Forecast
The Met Office has warned that temperatures throughout the South East could reach heatwave thresholds by the weekend. "Friday is likely to see very warm, locally hot conditions for south-east and some eastern areas of England, with higher humidity and the chance of a few thunderstorms," a UKHSA spokesperson said on Monday, June 15.
"There is considerable uncertainty for the duration of the very warm conditions however, as a weak weather front moving east into Saturday may bring slightly lower temperatures and fresher conditions. However, there is the potential that the weather front stalls toward the South East allowing very warm or hot conditions to linger across, or near to the far south or South East, perhaps then becoming more extensive again into the following week."
Met Office forecaster Jonathan Vautrey cautioned that increasing temperatures and growing humidity are likely to be joined by overcast skies for much of the nation. "By Friday there is potential for 30C across parts of south-eastern England," Mr Vautrey said. He continued: "The exact detail of the temperatures is going to be dependent on cloud amounts, because, whilst it is going to be warmer this coming week, there's actually going to be a reasonable amount of cloud around at times as well – so it's not going to be sort of wall to wall sunshine every day. But those temperatures are going to be rising nonetheless and, with that, it's also going to be increasingly humid this time around."
"So I think people will certainly be noticing how muggy it starts to feel during the second half of this weekend, and some quite uncomfortable nights for sleeping well, with overnight temperatures in the high teens across south-eastern areas of England."
Mr Vautrey also highlighted that the West Midlands, sections of the West Country and regions of Wales are anticipated to enjoy mild temperatures climbing to the mid-teens by week's end. In contrast, Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to face significantly cloudier conditions and rain throughout the week, with temperatures in those parts of the UK unlikely to surpass 20C to 21C.
UK Regions Covered by the Heat Health Alert
- London
- South East
- East of England
- East Midlands
