UK heatwave health alerts issued for 5 DAYS as 7 regions face 'rise in deaths'

Heat health alerts have been extended across a number of regions in England as a sweltering heatwavecontinues.

There is a yellow alert for Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, southeast and southwest in place until 6pm on Monday, August 18. The warning was in effect as of 4pm today.

The yellow alert warns of a possible rise in fatalities "particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions", the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed. It comes after sunbed wars see Brits forced to queue for 'over an hour' just to get to the pool.

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The warning also said there could be a greater demand on health services, internal temperatures in hospitals and care homes exceeding the "recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment" and an impact on the workforce's ability to deliver services. There could also be "indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings", the warning said.

Weather warnings have been issued as the fourth heatwave of the summer brings thunderstorms and showers. Heavy rain and thunder hit London and Kent on Wednesday afternoon, and the Met Office said it was likely the southeast would continue to get thick clouds and a risk of heavy thundery showers overnight.

Northern England and Northern Ireland should see isolated afternoon and evening thunderstorms and flood alerts have been issued for Scotland. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has issued alerts across 19 regions. It says heavy thundery showers or rain may affect the region during Wednesday afternoon and evening and during Thursday, with a risk of significant localised flooding effects from surface water and smaller rivers.

The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for most of Scotland from 2pm until midnight, with the potential for up to 30mm of rain in less than an hour, and 50mm locally, as well as hail and gusty winds. Wednesday began warm following a sweltering night for most of the country.

The highest temperature recorded on Tuesday night was 19.4C in Myerscough, Lancashire, with 16.4C in Killylane, Antrim, Northern Ireland, 17.1C in Salsburgh, Lanarkshire, Scotland, and 17.9C in St Athan, Wales. The highest temperature recorded overnight in 2025 so far was 22.2C in Heathrow on July 1.

An amber heat health alert remains in place for the West Midlands, East Midlands, southeast, London, and east of England until 6pm, after temperatures peaked at 33.4C on Tuesday. Much of the rest of England is already under yellow alerts.

Officials have said that England is suffering from “nationally significant” water shortfalls, despite rain in July. The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, has met as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status.

England is suffering widespread environmental and agricultural effects from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the group said. On Thursday there will be residual showers and isolated thunderstorms across the southeast, gradually clearing, and lightning, hail and heavy rain drifting northwards from Scotland into the Northern Isles.

Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Some areas will continue to experience their fourth heatwave of the summer so far, with Thursday remaining warm or very warm for many, though cooler near coasts. Temperatures could still reach 30C in eastern England, though many areas will be a few degrees cooler than earlier in the week.”

Northern England will have patchy rain and cloud on Friday while southern England will enjoy sunshine and temperatures of up to 31C. The weekend should be dry and sunny for most parts of the UK, climbing to 30C on Saturday and 29C on Sunday in southwest England.

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