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A rare red weather warning for extreme heat has been issued for parts of the UK, where record-breaking temperatures could reach up to 40C.
Britons have been warned of possible danger to life, with the UK Health Security Agency also issuing red heat health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, and South West.
Sweltering heat is expected until at least Thursday, with the Met Office expecting the record for the hottest June temperature, which currently stands at 35.6C, to be broken.
The Met Office’s red weather warning, which stretches from London across to Somerset and Swansea and up towards Birmingham, comes into force at 9am on Wednesday and will be lifted at 9pm on Thursday.
“An exceptional spell of hot and humid weather is expected across this region, with impacts to the general population highly likely,” the weather agency said.
The heatwave could bring disruptions to rail, road and air travel with National Rail advising travellers to check their journeys in advance.
Over the coming days, humid conditions are forecast alongside potentially tropical nights, when the overnight temperature does not fall below 20C, making it feel “muggier” than last month’s heatwave, the weather service said.
UK cannot withstand extreme heat of current climate, experts say
Temperatures of more than 43C now possible in the current climate and the UK is not prepared, experts have warned.
Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London, said the country’s health services, energy infrastructure and transport are “simply not built for these conditions”.
He added: “As 40+ temperatures become ever more common, expect many thousands sleeping in the streets as poorly insulated homes become uninhabitable heattraps, widespread power cuts as power cables sag and break, transport chaos as rails, overhead wires and signalling fail, and A & E departments overwhelmed by the old, very young, and vulnerable suffering from overheating.”
Richard Allan, professor of climate science at the University of Reading’s meteorology department, said: “A warmer atmosphere’s greater thirst for water also means more rapidly onsetting droughts but also the intensification of extreme rainfall and associated flooding as excess water drained from the soil and oceans is channelled into storms that can often be sparked off by summer heat.
“The reality of global warming talked about when I was young in the 1980s is now playing out, yet the solution to avoid further dangerous climate change remains unchanged – upgrade our industry, transport and agriculture to vanquish greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors of society.”
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 11:22
UK to fund AI weather forecasting as ‘super’ El Niño threatens wave of climate shocks
Climate Correspondent Nick Ferris writes:
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will be working with the Met Office to introduce the systems across parts of Africa and South-East Asia in the coming months.
“Climate security is affecting all our lives,” said the foreign secretary. Yvette Cooper. “When countries are devastated by extreme weather, the effects can be felt all over the world, whether it is through the impact on global trade, the disruption of supply chains, or the increase in food and energy prices.”
“Our new partnership with the Met Office will help countries across the Global South to protect against extreme weather events, and manage the effects of climate change – using British expertise and technology to create a more stable world,” she added.
The partnership will see British scientists and meteorologists work with existing weather services in countries, sharing forecasting models, climate data and technical expertise to improve predictions of severe weather events and help communities recover more quickly after disasters.
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 11:15
Mapped: How high will temperatures climb during the heatwave?
Temperatures could exceed 40C on Wednesday (Met Office)
Thursday will be another scorching day for the UK (Met Office)
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 11:11
UKHSA warns of danger to life as red heat health alerts issued
Red heat health alerts have been issued for large parts of the UK, where extremely high temperatures pose a danger to life.
UKHSA has upgraded its alerts to the highest risk score of 16 in the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, and South West.
It has warned of an increased risk to life across the whole population, significantly increased demand on all health and social care services, and an increase in water‑related incidents, including cold‑water shock and drowning.
The alerts come into force at 1am on Wednesday and will be lifted at 11pm on Thursday.
Amber alerts are in place in the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
UKHSA red heat health alerts (UKHSA)
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 10:59
What is a red weather warning and what should Britons expect?
A red warning is the most extreme weather alert that is only issued when significant impacts are expected.
The Met Office said the heat, which could reach 40C, will bring high humidity, exacerbating the potential for discomfort and health impacts, with very warm and humid night times also reducing the ability for people to recover overnight.
“During the heatwave expected to affect a large part of England and Wales this week, the highlighted area now looks increasingly likely to see a two to three day period where maximum temperatures in the shade exceed 37 Celsius, perhaps rising to 38 to 40 Celsius in some places.
“Significant disruption to daily life is likely and the public should take every effort to make precautions and adapt their daily routines where possible to cope with these levels of heat, which up to now have been extremely rare for the UK.”
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 10:52
Met Office issues red weather warning
A red weather warning for extreme heat has been issued for parts of the UK, where temperatures could hit 40C this week.
The rare warning covers areas including the East Midlands, East of England, London & South East England, South West England, Wales, and the West Midlands.
It comes into force at 9am on Wednesday and will be lifted at 9pm on Thursday.
The Met Office said: “An exceptional spell of hot and humid weather is expected across this region, with impacts to the general population highly likely.”
Met Office issues red warning for extreme heat (Met Office)
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 10:44
What weather records could be broken this week?
The UK is set to smash its record for the hottest June day ever, with London forecast to see temperatures hit 39C on Wednesday.
It would be nearly 4C higher than the hottest day on record for June, which is 35.6C.
The scorching weather is also likely to break the record for the hottest day of the year, which currently stands at 34.8C.
According to the Met Office, there is a chance that temperatures could exceed 40C this week.
The hottest day ever recorded in the UK was 40.3C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in 2022.
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 10:36
What should you do in a water safety emergency?
The Royal Life Saving Society UK has issued water safety advice ahead of the scorching weather set to hit the UK this week.
It is encouraging swimmers to seek a lifeguarded location wherever possible, and be aware of cold water shock, as water temperatures can remain “dangerously cold”.
It said inland waters, such as rivers and lakes, accounted for 57 per cent of accidental drowning deaths in 2025.
If you are in an emergency, RLSS UK says you should call 999 immediately and stay out of the water yourself.
“Tell the person in the water to keep calm and throw them something that floats, such as a plastic bottle or football, so they can hold onto it and stay afloat while help is on the way.”
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 10:16
12 best fans to beat the heat, tested and reviewed by an expert
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 10:10
What is an extreme heat warning – and what should I do?
An amber warning for extreme heat is in force for southern parts of England and Wales until the end of the day on Thursday.
The Met Office has warned of an increased rise in water safety incidents, adverse health effects and heat related incidents.
It said the unusually hot weather could also cause travel delays, possible power cuts and the loss of other services to some homes and businesses.
Britons have been urged to drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am-3pm when the sun is strongest.
The Met Office is also advising people to avoid delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables.
It also says that people should prepare for power cuts by gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
Harriette Boucher22 June 2026 09:47