UK heatwave peaks with 35-36°C temps and health alerts

The United Kingdom is bracing for the peak of its third major heatwave of 2026, with temperatures forecast to exceed those of the Spanish holiday island of Tenerife in some regions. The Met Office expects the hottest conditions on Thursday, July 9, and Friday, July 10, with highs of 35 to 36 degrees Celsius possible across parts of England and Wales. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber and yellow heat-health alerts for most of England, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services.

The alerts are in effect from Wednesday, July 8, until Sunday, July 12. An amber alert, indicating a higher level of risk, covers the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, the South East, and the South West. Yellow alerts are in place for the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the North West. Officials warn that while humidity will be lower than during a late June heatwave, allowing for cooler nights in some areas, urban centers may still experience uncomfortably warm nights.

Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said the end of the intense heat would not be straightforward. While temperatures are expected to ease in southeast England over the...