Amber heat-health alerts are in force across most of England, except for the north-east which remains under a yellow health alert. The alerts are scheduled to last from 9am on Tuesday until 9am on Friday.
The Environment Agency reported that 71.3% of England is in drought following the country's driest July on record. Sources differ on the attribution of the drought figure. The National Drought Group stated that 71.3% of England was officially in drought as of Monday, while the Environment Agency stated that 71.3% of England is experiencing 'flash drought'.
More than 27 million people in England are subject to water restrictions, according to the National Drought Group. British media reports indicate that more than 20 million people are affected by hosepipe bans.
Health risks and temperature forecasts
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that significant impacts are likely across health and social care, including a possible rise in deaths. The agency warned that amber heat-health alerts may lead to several risks, including internal hospital temperatures exceeding clinical risk thresholds, workforce ability issues, overheating in indoor environments, medicine management issues, increased power demand, travel delays, and water-related incidents like drowning.
Significant impacts are likely across health and social care, including a possible rise in deaths.
The yellow health alert in north-east England is linked to a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. The UKHSA reported that Britain recorded 2,877 excess deaths during the May and June heat waves, nearly double the 1,504 excess deaths recorded during the summer of 2025.
Temperatures in much of England and Wales are expected to reach the low to mid-30s Celsius at the peak of the heat wave. The Met Office forecasts temperatures could possibly exceed 36C in some places.
On Tuesday, forecast highs include 29C in Cardiff, 28C in Manchester, and 25C in London. Temperatures in eastern Wales, the Midlands, and central parts of southern England are forecast to reach 27C to 30C (81F to 86F).
Regional drought status and weather outlook
The drought-affected regions in England include the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs. Drought status also includes East Anglia, Hertfordshire and London, Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Devon and Cornwall, the West Midlands, and Wessex.
A drought was declared for all of Wales on July 30. In contrast, parts of Scotland have received the equivalent of half a month's rain in just two days.
Little or no rain is forecast across England and Wales for most of the week. The first significant rainfall for many areas in England and Wales in almost two months could arrive on Sunday.
