Amber Heat Alerts Cover Almost All of England as Heatwave Begins

Amber heat-health alerts have come into force across almost all of England as the country braces for its latest heatwave of the summer. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the warnings, which will remain in place until Friday evening, cautioning that significant impacts on social and healthcare services are likely — including a rise in deaths.

Temperatures and Areas Affected

Amber alerts cover all regions of England except the North East, which has received a yellow (less intense) alert for the same period. On Tuesday the hottest conditions will be around east Wales, the Midlands and central southern England, with temperatures expected to reach 27-30°C. East Anglia, London and the south-east will be slightly cooler at 22-26°C. Temperatures are forecast to rise further as the week progresses, with the peak of the heatwave expected mid-week. During peak days, temperatures across England and Wales will widely be in the low to mid-30s Celsius.

Health Warnings

The UKHSA warned that while those over 65 or with underlying health conditions are most at risk, people in all age groups may be affected. Increased demand on health and social care services is expected. The heatwave comes as drought officials confirmed that 71.3% of England is now classified as being in drought — the highest proportion this summer.

Wider Context

It has been a remarkable summer for England, with temperatures consistently above average. Even in "cooler" spells, readings have only dipped to near-average for the time of year. This is the fifth widespread heatwave of the 2026 summer season.