UK heading into third heatwave of summer with amber health alerts
The UK is facing its third heatwave of the summer, with amber health alerts issued for the south of England and West Country as temperatures are expected to reach the 30s Celsius.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The UK is experiencing its third heatwave of the summer, with amber heat health alerts now covering large parts of England. The alerts, issued by the UK Health Security Agency, initially covered the south of England and the West Country, but have since been extended to Yorkshire and North West England. Only the North East is not under an amber alert. Yellow alerts remain in place for northern England.
Temperatures have reached the mid-30s Celsius in some areas, with a high of 35 Celsius recorded in Woking, Surrey. This is the eighth day this year that temperatures have exceeded 34 Celsius, breaking the previous record of seven days set in 1976 and 2020. Forecasters say this heatwave could be one of the longest-lasting since 1976, with high temperatures expected to persist into next week. The heat is being driven by high pressure from the Azores, and climate change is making such extreme events more likely.
The NHS has warned that the heatwave is putting huge pressure on services. Paramedics in Devon reported a surge in heat-related call-outs, including breathing difficulties, dehydration, and falls among the elderly. The amber alert means there is likely to be extra strain on health services and power demand. Officials have warned of a potential rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with pre-existing health conditions.
Housing is also a concern. The English Housing Survey estimates that up to three million homes are classed as overheating in hot weather. New-build homes, designed to retain heat, can reach internal temperatures of 35 degrees. Residents in some areas have also faced water supply problems, with a daily water tank running out by evening. MPs have discussed the risk, warning that 90 percent of housing could be at risk of overheating by 2050.
Water companies are taking action. A hosepipe ban has been imposed in Cambridge and the South East, and Anglian Water has announced a similar ban affecting around five million customers. The operator of Britain's electricity grid has warned it needs more powers as people turn to fans and air conditioning units, increasing demand. Drought conditions are being monitored in East Anglia, Devon, and Cornwall.
Across southern Europe, extreme heat has also triggered wildfires in Spain and Italy. In the UK, the heat is expected to peak on Friday, with tropical nights where temperatures do not drop below 20 Celsius. The public is advised to stay cool, avoid outdoor activity between 11am and 2pm, and check on vulnerable neighbours.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC NEWS | BBC One | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| An amber heat health alert was issued for parts of England. | |||||
| This is the third heatwave of the year in the UK, and it could be one of the longest-lasting since 1976. | · | ||||
| Temperatures could reach 36 degrees Celsius in parts of southern England, with tropical nights where temperatures remain above 20 degrees Celsius. | · | · | |||
| The UK has recorded its eighth day this year with temperatures above 34°C, a new record. | · | · | |||
| The UK is experiencing its third heatwave of the summer. | · | · | |||
| Anglian Water introduced a hosepipe ban affecting around five million customers. | · | · | · | · | |
| Birdland in Bourton-on-the-Water provided ice for king penguins to keep them cool. | · | · | · | · | |
| Drought conditions were being monitored in East Anglia, Devon, and Cornwall. | · | · | · | · | |
| Significant impacts on health and social care services are expected, including a rise in deaths among those aged 65 and over. | · | · | · | · | |
| Temperatures reached 30°C in Cirencester. | · | · | · | · | |
| The heat health alerts indicate extra strain on health services and power demand. | · | · | · | · | |
| The heatwave is made more likely by human-induced climate change. | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Channel 5's coverage was brief and focused on the practical implications of the amber alert, specifically the extra strain on health services and power demand. It did not include any on-the-ground reporting or interviews, instead treating the heatwave as one of several news items in a lunchtime bulletin.
- “The government has issued amber heat health alerts for the south of England which means there's likely to be extra strain on health services and power demand.”
ITV News West Country focused heavily on local impacts, including the specific alert for the West Country, lifeguard deployments on Somerset beaches, and human-interest stories such as penguins being given ice at Birdland and a busy lido. The tone was conversational and community-oriented, with reporters on the ground speaking to residents and business owners.
- “An Amber heat health alert has been issued for the whole of the West country from nine o'clock tomorrow morning.”
- “It's the third heat wave of the year so far and the UK Health Security Agency is warning there's a greater risk to life for vulnerable people.”
- “I am feeling very barbecued at the moment. It's 30 degrees C.”
BBC News provided a national overview with a strong emphasis on the duration of the heatwave, comparing it to 1976, and the health risks. It included a weather correspondent's report linking the heat to climate change and warning of tropical nights. The coverage also briefly mentioned wildfires in southern Europe, but the main focus was on the UK alert system and temperature records.
- “It will be one of the longest-lasting heatwaves since 1976.”
- “Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.”
- “We know that with climate change, it just pushes the dial a little bit.”
BBC One West combined national updates with a strong local focus on the West of England. It featured extensive on-the-ground reporting with paramedics in Devon, highlighting the real-time pressure on emergency services. It also investigated housing overheating, including interviews with residents in new-build estates and tower blocks. The coverage was detailed and human-centred, with a clear public health message.
- “It is the eighth day this year that temperatures have passed 34 Celsius somewhere in the UK and that is a new record beating the seven days in 2020 and in 1976.”
- “NHS England is warning that the heatwave is putting huge pressure on services.”
- “The English housing survey estimates that up to three million homes are classed as overheating in hot weather.”
Sky News focused on the broader consequences of the heatwave, including hosepipe bans, electricity grid strain, and drought risk. It also connected the UK heatwave to wildfires in Spain, framing it as part of a wider pattern of extreme weather. The tone was serious and warning-oriented, emphasising the record-breaking nature of the heat and the vulnerability of the elderly.
- “It's the first time in a calendar year that we've seen more than seven days of reaching temperatures of more of 34 degrees celsius or more.”
- “a hosepipe ban has been put in place in cambridge and the southeast And then this morning anglian water said that they would be following suit and that will affect around five million customers.”
- “the operator of Britain's electricity grid warns. It needs more powers people flock to fans and aircon units”
Broadcast Timeline
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