A yellow heat health alert has been issued for large parts of England as forecasters predict sweltering temperatures exceeding 30°C early next week. The warning, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), runs from 12pm Monday, 11 August to 6pm Wednesday, 13 August.
Several regions, including Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, East of England, London, the South East and South West, are in the firing line as the country braces for what could be the fourth heatwave of 2025.
The soaring temperatures are being driven by the remnants of Tropical Storm Dexter, which formed off the US East Coast and is now sweeping across the Atlantic. As it weakens into an ex-tropical system, it’s dragging a surge of hot air up from the southwest.
“We’re confident that temperatures will increase markedly by the start of next week, reaching the low 30s Celsius in parts of England on Monday and perhaps the mid 30s in a few places on Tuesday.
Ex-Dexter sets the wheels in motion for an uptick in temperatures, but the weather patterns then maintaining any hot weather are rather more uncertain,” said Steven Keates, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office.
Health officials are urging the public to stay cautious, warning of “significant impacts” on both health and social care services. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, young children, and those with underlying health conditions, are particularly at risk.
The UKHSA has stressed the importance of staying hydrated, keeping cool indoors, and checking in on neighbours or relatives who may struggle in the heat.
With parts of the country forecast to hit the mid-30s, many could face disrupted travel, pressure on emergency services, and uncomfortable nights ahead. The NHS is on alert, and local councils are preparing for increased demand across frontline services.
If the temperatures hold for three consecutive days, this will officially mark the fourth heatwave of the year — the others struck in June and twice in July. The definition of a heatwave varies by region: in London, the threshold sits at 28°C, while in Scotland, it’s 25°C.
Meanwhile, weather watchers are keeping an eye on how long this hot spell may last. The Met Office said that although Monday and Tuesday will likely be the hottest days, it’s too early to confirm if the warmth will persist further into the week.
“The length of this warm spell is still uncertain, and it is possible that high temperatures could persist further into next week, particularly in the south,” added Keates.
The extreme heat warning comes just days after Storm Floris battered parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, knocking out power for tens of thousands and grounding multiple travel routes.
Since then, conditions have calmed. Friday is expected to be dry and sunny for much of the UK, though Scotland will continue to face coastal gales and spells of rain.
This weekend is set to offer a mixed bag:
- Southern and central England: Bright, dry, highs in the mid-20s.
- Northern regions and Scotland: Breezier with scattered showers.
As Dexter approaches, all eyes are on the skies. Whether this hot spell lasts three days or more, it’s another reminder that the UK’s summer is far from over and that Mother Nature still has some surprises in store.
