UK issues amber heat health alerts as temperatures forecast to reach 38C

Aug 10, 2026

The UK Health Security Agency issues amber heat health alerts as temperatures are forecast to reach 38C. This fifth summer heatwave intensifies a severe drought, with drought status declared across most of England, affecting 45 million people. Over 25 million residents face water restrictions, including hosepipe bans. The extreme heat strains emergency services, prompting a major incident declaration in Nottinghamshire, and threatens infrastructure and vulnerable populations.

UK heatwave temperature forecasts

▪Sunday, August 9, 2026, marked the 34th day in 2026 where temperatures exceeded 30C somewhere in the UK, equalling the previous record set in 1995.
▪The UK is expected to record temperatures exceeding 35C for four consecutive months in 2026, marking the first time this has occurred in recorded history.
▪Overnight minimum temperatures across England and Wales are expected to remain high during the August 2026 heatwave, potentially staying between 16C and 18C, with a possibility of a tropical night above 20C in south-east England.
▪UK weather forecasts predict temperatures could reach up to 37C or 38C in parts of the Midlands, eastern, and south-east England by Thursday, August 13, 2026, or Friday, August 14, 2026.

Drought status across England

▪The transition of multiple regions into drought status on August 10, 2026, means that most of England, excluding northern areas, is now in official drought.
▪Approximately 45 million people in England live in areas officially designated as being in drought as of August 10, 2026, according to the National Drought Group.
▪The National Drought Group declared official drought status for the East Midlands, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Kent, East Sussex, Solent, and the South Downs on Monday, August 10, 2026.

Hosepipe bans water restrictions

▪South West Water implemented a hosepipe ban for customers in Devon, Cornwall, parts of Dorset, Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly due to below-average rainfall and high demand.
▪More than 25 million people in the UK, including all Thames Water and South East Water customers, are subject to hosepipe bans and water restrictions as of August 10, 2026.

Amber heat health alerts

▪The UK Health Security Agency warned that the amber heat health alerts, running through Tuesday, August 11, 2026, indicate likely significant impacts across social and health care services.
▪The UK Health Security Agency issued amber heat health alerts for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.

Infrastructure impact risks

▪The extreme weather of summer 2026 previously included two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that resulted in more than 2,800 excess deaths in the UK.
▪Health officials warned that the extreme heat during the August 2026 heatwave could lead to a potential rise in deaths and significant impacts on vulnerable populations.
▪Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan warned that the August 2026 heatwave poses potential risks of disruption to UK infrastructure, including railway lines and power networks.

Emergency service grass fires

▪Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Sunday, August 9, 2026, due to two large woodland fires that severely strained resources.
▪Firefighters across the UK tackled multiple grass fires over the weekend of August 8-9, 2026, amid the ongoing dry and hot weather conditions.