The UK is bracing itself for potentially record-breaking temperatures as a red weather warning has been issued for the first time, covering parts of England. The Met Office predicts that mercury could soar to 40°C or higher early next week, shattering the current UK temperature record of 38.7°C, set in Cambridge in 2019. The red zone covers central, eastern, and south-eastern England, including London, Manchester, and Yorkshire.
Further afield, an amber warning for extreme heat remains in place for much of England, Wales, and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s Celsius in regions such as the South West, Midlands, and North East, while Wales may see up to 35°C in some areas.
The Met Office has highlighted that the intense heat poses substantial health risks, particularly for vulnerable individuals. Public Health England has issued Level 4 heat-health alerts, urging people to stay hydrated and check on neighbours and relatives.
With temperatures predicted to remain high overnight, authorities are preparing for an increased demand on emergency services. The current weather event is part of a broader pattern of increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves observed globally, which scientists attribute to climate change.