Heatwave grips the UK with 36C forecast and the NHS faces high demand / Image – File
Large parts of the UK are experiencing another bout of extreme summer weather, with temperatures expected to rise above 30C and possibly reach 35-36C in parts of England by the end of the week.
Meteorologists say the current heatwave is the country’s third official heatwave of 2026, while health authorities warn that the prolonged heat is putting increasing pressure on hospitals, care services and vulnerable communities. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has activated Amber Heat-Health alerts across most of southern, eastern and central England, with yellow alerts covering the northern areas. The warnings remain in effect until July 12, reflecting concerns that unusually high temperatures could lead to higher rates of heat-related illness, hospitalizations and deaths, especially among the elderly, infants and people with existing medical conditions. Meanwhile, the NHS has warned that hospitals are already operating under “constant pressure”. Emergency departments are bracing for an increase in the number of patients suffering from dehydration, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses as temperatures continue to rise.
UK met office expectations
According to the Met Office, high pressure dominating the UK’s weather pattern is bringing prolonged sunshine, dry conditions and exceptionally warm air to most parts of the country. The hottest conditions are expected on Thursday and Friday, when parts of southern and eastern England could see temperatures rise to 35C or even 36C. Meteorologists at the Met Office say daytime temperatures above 30C will become widespread, while nighttime conditions will remain unseasonably warm.
Some urban areas may experience “tropical nights”, where temperatures fail to drop below 20°C, making it difficult for people to cool down and recover from the heat of the day. Greg Dewhurst, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said temperatures would continue to rise throughout the week before gradually falling over the weekend in parts of southern and eastern England. However, warmer than average conditions are expected to persist, especially across southwest England, even after the current peak has passed.Officials also warned that although temperatures will eventually cool in some areas, there is still a possibility of thunderstorms as cold air begins to move in, especially later in the week.
High health risks
Health officials say the biggest concern is not just the daytime temperatures, but the prolonged nature of the heat, with little relief at night.The UK’s Health Security Agency says the Amber Heat-Health Alerts indicate the potential for significant impacts across health and social care services.
These include increased demand for emergency care, higher risks to vulnerable people and additional pressure on NHS resources.The NHS said hospitals were still under “constant pressure” and urged people to take sensible precautions and help reduce avoidable medical emergencies during hot weather.Health authorities advise people to:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Stay indoors during the hottest afternoon hours where possible.
- Wear light clothing and sunscreen outdoors.
- Keep homes cool by closing the curtains during the day.
- Regularly check on elderly relatives, neighbors and anyone who lives alone.
- Never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.
Officials also reminded people that rivers, lakes and reservoirs can remain dangerously cold despite the hot weather, increasing the risk of cold-water shock.
What comes next?
The long spell of hot weather is already affecting transportation and public services. Heat can cause railway lines to expand, increasing the likelihood of delays and speed restrictions, while road surfaces may become softer under prolonged high temperatures. Some rail services have already reported outages linked to heat-related infrastructure issues.Scientists also say this latest heatwave forms part of a broader pattern of increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events across Europe. The Copernicus Climate Change Service recently reported that Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record, while UK waters are at the same time experiencing an “extreme” marine heatwave, with sea temperatures well above seasonal averages. Experts say climate change is making long periods of exceptional heat more likely and more intense.Meteorologists expect temperatures to gradually fall in parts of southern and eastern Britain over the weekend, although very warm weather is likely to continue elsewhere. The southwest, Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to remain warmer than average, while the risk of isolated thunderstorms may increase as weather patterns begin to change.However, for millions across the UK, the immediate focus remains on getting through one of the hottest weeks of the year safely. As temperatures rise into the mid-30s, health officials, emergency services and meteorologists continue to urge the public not to underestimate the risks posed by prolonged extreme heat, especially as the NHS works to manage increased demand during one of the country’s most severe heatwaves of 2026.
