The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an Amber Heat Health Alert for the whole of England, the Met Office announced on 19 June 20251. The Met Office said temperatures across the UK would continue to rise, with the highest temperatures forecast on Saturday, when 34°C could be reached in eastern England1. NHS England reported that the alert was introduced across most of England at midday on Wednesday and upgraded to amber status across the whole of England at midday on Thursday2.
Friday was forecast to be another warm day, with highs of 32°C possible in central England, and low 30s Celsius fairly widely across England on Saturday1. The Met Office also warned of warm nights, with the possibility of temperatures not falling below 20°C in some areas, which it terms a "tropical night"1. Temperatures were expected to ease from the west on Sunday as fresher air arrives from the Atlantic, although parts of East Anglia and the far southeast of England could still see 28-29°C for a time1.
A Yellow Severe Weather warning for thunderstorms was issued for the Midlands, northern England and parts of north Wales, running from 15:00 on Saturday to 04:00 on Sunday1. The Met Office said scattered thunderstorms may develop during Saturday afternoon, moving northeastwards and clearing to the North Sea by the early hours of Sunday, and that the most intense could produce frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds along with heavy downpours, which may lead to some surface water impacts in places1. The Met Office also reported high pollen levels and high UV levels1.
"We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30°C in many areas."
The Met Office said the alert is aimed at the health and social care sector, the responder community, the voluntary and community sector and government departments when adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population1. Dr Sousa said findings show heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions, and that the forecast high temperatures may also lead to increasing demand for remote health care services and an impact on the ability of services delivered due to heat effects on the workforce1.
NHS England reported 31,524 visits to its heat exhaustion and heatstroke web page in the 48 hours since a heat-health alert was introduced across most of England at midday on Wednesday, compared with 10,578 visits on Monday and Tuesday, a rise it described as 198 per cent2. Visits peaked after the alert was upgraded to amber, with 20,048 visits in 24 hours, equivalent to one visit every five seconds2. Visits to NHS advice on hay fever rose by 86 per cent in the seven days to 19 June, to 53,656, compared with 28,914 in the previous week2.
Why it matters for households
The amber alert covers the whole of England and, according to NHS England, remains in place across England until Monday morning2. The Met Office said the more uncomfortable heat would initially be in northern and western areas, where despite somewhat lower temperatures the air will be more humid1. Dr Sousa said it is important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun1.
NHS England said heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes, but if it turns into heatstroke it needs to be treated as an emergency2. It listed signs of heat exhaustion as tiredness, dizziness, headache, feeling sick, sweating or clammy skin, cramps, fast breathing or heartbeat, a high temperature, being very thirsty and feeling weak2. The NHS advises moving someone showing signs to a cool place, removing unnecessary clothing, giving them a rehydration drink or cool water, and cooling their skin with water, a fan or cold packs wrapped in a cloth2. Its tips to help prevent heat exhaustion include drinking more cold drinks, wearing light-coloured and loose clothing, and closing curtains and windows if it is hotter outside than inside the home2.
The Met Office reported that its scientists published a study the previous day finding that the chance of exceeding 40°C in the UK is accelerating, and is now over 20 times more likely than in the 1960s, with a 50-50 chance of seeing a 40°C day again in the next 12 years1. The British Veterinary Association's president, Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux, said vets see pets suffering heat-related problems each summer, some of which can be fatal, and advised access to fresh drinking water, good ventilation and shade at all times, walking dogs in the early morning or late evening, and never leaving them inside a car, caravan or conservatory even for a little while1.
What happens next
Temperatures are forecast to drop on Sunday, though the far east of England could hold temperatures up to 28°C through Sunday, with fresher air, cloud and outbreaks of rain expected to continue through next week1. The heat-health alert remains in place across England until Monday morning, according to NHS England2. The Met Office's heat-health alerts guide explains the yellow, amber and red levels, and households can read how to sign up for heat-health alerts. The UKHSA guide covers its alerts and outbreak advice, and the heatwaves and drought hub collects the site's related guidance.
UK Health Security Agency
Heat-Health Alerts Explained
