Britain will swelter under another day of intense heat, with central England tipped to hit 32 °C on Friday and possibly 34 °C by Saturday. This follows Thursday’s record-breaking high—the hottest day of 2025 so far—and marks the second straight day above 30 °C.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its first amber heat-health alert since September 2023, covering all English regions until Monday. The warning highlights “significant impacts” on health and social care, including increased heat-related deaths, especially among over-65s and those with chronic conditions.
According to the Met Office, many areas will meet their local heatwave thresholds by Friday. Northern and western regions declare a heatwave after three days above 25 °C, while London and the southeast need three days above 28 °C. Suffolk already joined the list Thursday after a third consecutive day of 27 °C-plus.
Scotland and Northern Ireland won’t miss out, with forecasts of 28 °C and over 25 °C, respectively. England and Wales will range between 28 °C and 31 °C. Saturday may bring thundery showers to northern Wales and northwest England, while the south and east endure peak heat. A slight cooldown on Sunday will still deliver highs in the mid-20s nationwide.
Despite record highs for 2025, these spikes remain below the 35.6 °C peak of June 1976. A strong high-pressure system is pulling hot air from continental Europe, where France and Spain could approach 40 °C.
Fire crews have tackled over 500 wildfires in England and Wales this year—a 717% surge on 2024. The National Fire Chiefs Council urges caution with barbecues and discarded glass, warning that heatwaves will likely become more frequent and severe.
Climate experts confirm human-driven warming has made June heatwaves five times more likely than in pre-industrial times. Imperial College’s Ben Clarke warns: “Every fraction of a degree of warming brings hotter, more dangerous heatwaves—more heat deaths, NHS pressure, transport disruption and poorer air quality.”
UKHSA’s Dr. Agostinho Sousa calls heat the “silent killer” and urges everyone to check on vulnerable neighbours, stay hydrated, and follow public health advice to keep cool.
