Met Office Red Heat Warning: UK Faces 'Risk to Life' as Temperatures Hit 36.1°C

The Met Office has issued a Red Extreme Heat Warning for parts of England and Wales, covering Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25, 2026. This is the first time Red warnings for extreme heat have been issued for three consecutive days in the UK, indicating severe and significant impacts.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 38-40°C in some areas of England. The UK has already provisionally set a new daily maximum air temperature record for June, with 36.1°C reported at Gosport, Hampshire, on June 24, 2026. This exceeds the previous June record of 35.6°C from 1976 and 1957.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway stated: "Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we're expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat."

The Red warning covers parts of the East Midlands, East of England, London, the South East, South West England, Wales, and the West Midlands. Amber Extreme Heat Warnings are also in force for other parts of England and Wales, extending into Friday.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended red heat-health alerts for six regions of England until 11pm on Friday, June 26, 2026. The UKHSA warns that a red heat-health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population.

What to do immediately

Take these steps to protect yourself and others during this extreme heat event:

1. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty.
2. Avoid Peak Sun: Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, typically between 11am and 3pm.
3. Keep Homes Cool: Close curtains or blinds in rooms that face the sun to keep indoor temperatures down.
4. Check on Vulnerable People: Look in on older people, young children, and those with underlying health conditions.
5. Minimise Travel: Significant disruption to daily life, including travel, is likely. Consider postponing non-essential journeys.

This extreme heat is accompanied by high humidity, exacerbating discomfort. Overnight temperatures are unlikely to fall much lower than the high teens Celsius, with some places not falling below low 20s Celsius. These are known as 'Tropical Nights', where temperatures do not drop below 20°C.

Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, highlighted: "Human induced climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense. To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering."

The UK heatwave is part of a wider European event, with France raising its health alert to the highest level. Other countries like Germany and the Czech Republic are also experiencing extreme conditions.

What this means for you

You should prepare for significant disruption to daily life, including potential impacts on transport, energy, and water supply. Your health is at risk, even if you are typically well, so follow official guidance to stay safe and cool.

But there are risks

As the heatwave transitions, there is an increasing likelihood of thunderstorms, particularly across southern and southwestern parts of the UK. A yellow thunderstorm warning is in place from 6pm on Thursday, June 25, until midnight, with heavy rains forecast across the UK until Friday morning. These storms could bring frequent lightning, torrential downpours, and locally strong winds, with gusts potentially reaching 60-65 mph.

What happens next

The Red Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect until Thursday, June 25, 2026. Amber warnings and UKHSA red heat-health alerts for six regions of England extend until Friday, June 26, 2026. Monitor Met Office and UKHSA updates for the latest information on heat and impending thunderstorm warnings.

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