England Faces Amber Heat Warning as Temperatures Forecast to Hit 38C

An amber extreme heat warning is in force across much of England on Thursday, August 13, 2026, as the country braces for what could be the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures forecast to reach 38C. The Met Office warning, in effect from 9 a.m. to midnight, covers London, the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands, and South Yorkshire, urging the public to avoid the sun during peak hours between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The heatwave, the fifth of the summer, is expected to peak in the afternoon, with forecasters warning of significant impacts on health, infrastructure, and travel. Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill stated that temperatures in the amber warning area could reach "36, 37, possibly 38C," adding that such heat could disrupt railway lines and roads not designed for these conditions. If temperatures exceed 38C, it would surpass the current 2026 high of 38C recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 28. Burkill noted that while a new August record above 38.5C is possible, it is "actually pretty unlikely."

The extreme heat compounds a severe drought affecting nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales, placing immense pressure on water...