Britain is enduring its third heatwave of 2026 this week, with abundant sunshine and gentle breezes across the country.
The meteorological service announced when the current spell of extreme warmth is expected to conclude, following the activation of amber health warnings for certain regions.
Temperatures in Bradford are forecast to climb to 29 degrees on Thursday and Friday, before easing slightly to 27 degrees on Saturday.
Amber heat-health warnings have been activated by the UK Health Security Agency covering the Midlands, eastern and southern England. These warnings are valid from 9am on Wednesday July 8 until 9pm on Sunday July 12.
Steven Keates, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the national weather service, indicated that the mercury will not climb as high as the heatwave experienced in June.
He noted that temperatures this week are not anticipated to match the peaks recorded the previous month. However, parts of southern England could see several days with readings in the low 30s, with a few locations potentially reaching 34 to 35 degrees later in the week.
Overnight temperatures will similarly fall short of June’s levels, though larger urban centres are expected to remain in the high teens during the night, particularly towards the end of the week. A handful of areas may experience what is termed a tropical night, where temperatures fail to drop below 20 degrees.
The majority of England and Wales will see hot conditions, with the warmth spreading into parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland as well. In these northern regions, maximum temperatures are more likely to reach the upper 20s.
The current heatwave is expected to persist until the start of next week, commencing Monday July 13.
Following this, temperatures should drop marginally, though conditions will remain mild in many areas.
The weather expert explained that the very warm weather should continue through the weekend, accompanied by rising humidity and an increasing possibility of rain showers or isolated thunderstorms. As the new week begins, temperatures are forecast to decrease slightly, though many regions will remain dry, clear and pleasantly warm.
The amber heat-health alert system is designed to give advance notice to healthcare providers, social care organisations, voluntary groups and government departments that temperatures are likely to affect public health.
These alerts, colour-coded yellow, amber or red, reflect the anticipated severity of impact. Yellow warnings typically signify that while most people should not be significantly affected, those who are particularly vulnerable may find the conditions challenging. Amber warnings suggest the impact is expected to be felt throughout the entire health service, with potential risk to the wider population. In such situations, services must respond in a coordinated manner.
Medical professionals recommend staying out of direct sunlight when possible and remaining in shaded areas, particularly between 11am and 3pm. Additional guidance includes applying sunscreen, wearing head protection and lightweight clothing, and refraining from physical exertion or activities that raise body temperature.
To reduce body heat, individuals are advised to consume cold food and beverages and take cool showers or apply cool water to skin or clothing. Maintaining a cool home environment is also essential, with windows kept closed during daylight hours and opened at nightfall when temperatures drop.