The UK heatwaves are not over as amber health alerts issued

A plume of intense heat surging north from North Africa, which has already brought exceptionally high temperatures to parts of Iberia and France, reaches the UK on Wednesday. Readings are expected to climb sharply across southern and eastern England and into parts of the Midlands, ranging from 30 to 35C at their peak, with eastern Wales also edging into heatwave criteria.

Where the heatwave alerts apply

The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber alerts for the East Midlands, the East of England, London and the south-east from 09:00 BST on 29 July until 09:00 BST on 30 July. Less severe yellow alerts cover the south-west, the West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber for the same period.

The amber alert warns that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with existing health conditions. Wales, northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are not expected to meet heatwave criteria, with the far north closer to 20C at best. The hot spell follows disruption earlier this summer that saw schools shut across the UK as the heatwave hits home.

The spike looks set to be brief. A weather front moving through on Thursday will usher in fresher air, though well above-average temperatures in the mid- to high 20s are likely to persist into the weekend, exacerbating conditions in the driest areas after a significant lack of rainfall.