Yellow alert issued as soaring heat threatens lives across England next week

England is preparing for another searing blast of summer heat, with forecasters warning temperatures could surge above 30°C early next week. Health officials have issued a yellow heat health alert, warning of potential fatalities as sweltering conditions sweep in from Monday.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the warning covers large parts of the country, including London, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the east of England, the south-east and the south-west. The alert will run from midday on Monday until 6pm on Wednesday, with temperatures in some areas expected to hit the mid-30s.

Officials fear the soaring temperatures could trigger a sharp rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing medical conditions. The agency also warned of significant strain on health and social care services as the heatwave grips.

Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge said temperatures will begin climbing on Sunday, peaking in the middle of next week. “We’re likely to see high 20s in many parts of the UK, and in the south there’s the possibility of mid-30s across central, southern and eastern England,” he explained. Areas such as East Anglia, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire are expected to endure the heat the longest.

The hottest day of 2025 so far was recorded on 1 July, when St James’s Park in central London reached a blistering 34.7°C. Madge suggested that some locations could meet the official heatwave threshold by Wednesday, which requires three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a set level—25°C in most of the UK, and 28°C in London and surrounding areas.

While the warning currently extends to Wednesday, forecasters remain uncertain about conditions beyond the middle of the week. Madge said some regions might meet the threshold for just a day or two before cooler air arrives.

This looming heatwave would be the fourth of the summer. England has already endured prolonged spells of intense heat in June and July, when amber and yellow alerts were triggered as temperatures soared beyond 30°C in many areas.

The impact of the summer’s earlier heatwaves has been severe. Several water companies introduced hosepipe bans, restricting activities such as garden watering, car washing and filling paddling pools. Officials have warned that repeated extreme heat events could compound risks to vulnerable people, damage crops, and strain the nation’s water supply.

The UKHSA has urged the public to take precautions, such as staying hydrated, avoiding the midday sun, and checking in on elderly neighbours or relatives. Health professionals also stress the importance of keeping indoor spaces cool, wearing light clothing, and avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day.

This year’s intense summer heat follows a global trend of rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. The UK, like many parts of Europe, has already faced wildfire threats, drought conditions and damaging storms in recent months. Scientists have linked the increasing regularity of such events to climate change, warning that summers like this could become the norm if global emissions are not reduced.

As Monday approaches, emergency services and health providers are bracing for a challenging few days. With forecasts hinting at mid-30°C peaks and little relief in sight until later in the week, the country faces yet another test of its resilience against extreme heat.