UK Faces Continued Heatwave with Slight Dip Before Cooler Change
The United Kingdom is set to experience another day of hot weather on Sunday, with temperatures potentially reaching highs of 31C. This comes as the nation moves past the peak of its third heatwave of the year. While Sunday may see a slight dip in temperatures, a more significant change is expected on Monday, bringing with it the possibility of heavy rain across many parts of the country, according to the Met Office.
Amber heat health alerts, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), remain in effect for several regions in England, including the Midlands, southern, and eastern areas, until 9:00 AM on Monday. These alerts signify that the impact of the weather is likely to be felt across the entire health service, with a potential increased risk to health for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
The weekend saw record-breaking temperatures in several areas. Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales all recorded their warmest days of the year so far. Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands reached 32.2C, marking the first time Scotland has exceeded 30C since June 2023. In Northern Ireland, Magilligan, Londonderry, recorded a high of 30C, a temperature not seen since July 2022. England experienced a high of 33.1C in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, while Cardiff’s Bute Park in Wales also hit 33.1C.
The less severe yellow health warnings are also in place for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber until Monday morning. These warnings indicate a lower level of risk but still advise caution during the hot weather.
The prolonged hot weather has led to significant consequences, including hosepipe bans for millions of residents in Yorkshire, Kent, and Sussex. These restrictions affect activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, and filling paddling pools, with potential fines for non-compliance. Furthermore, the dry conditions have increased the risk of wildfires. Firefighters have been battling blazes in Scotland, with an ‘extreme’ wildfire warning in effect, and in Surrey, England.
The heat has also impacted major events, including Wimbledon. Fans at the women’s singles final experienced temperatures around 31C in south-west London. While Sunday’s men’s finals are expected to be slightly cooler at 29C, the overall trend indicates a gradual easing of the intense heat.
Looking ahead, the Met Office forecasts a breakdown of the heatwave from Sunday, with Monday expected to bring showers and cooler temperatures closer to the seasonal average for most of the UK. While this change may bring welcome rainfall, particularly to drought-affected areas, some regions, like the south-east of England, might experience continued high temperatures until Tuesday.
Scientists emphasize that while linking specific weather events to climate change is complex, the general trend of hotter, longer, and more frequent heatwaves is consistent with climate change projections. The succession of heatwaves in 2025, following a warm spring, underscores the observable impacts of climate change on weather patterns and ecosystems.