The United Kingdom is preparing for its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to climb above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) for ten days in a row. The UK Health Security Agency has upgraded heat health alerts to amber for the Midlands, eastern, and southern parts of England, anticipating significant impacts on health and social care services.
Temperatures are forecast to intensify from mid-week, potentially reaching 34C (93.2F) in some areas of England, particularly London and the southeast. While these temperatures are not expected to reach the record highs of 37.7C (99.86F) seen in late June, nighttime temperatures may remain high in urban areas, possibly staying in the high teens Celsius.
The amber alert is in effect from Wednesday evening, July 8, through Sunday evening, July 12. Yellow heat-health alerts have been issued for northern regions, warning of a potential risk to life.
A heatwave is officially defined as three consecutive days where daily maximum temperatures meet or exceed a specific threshold, which varies by region but stands at 28C (82.4F) in London. Parts of southeast England have already met these conditions.
Schools have taken precautionary measures, including canceling sports days and allowing students to wear PE kits to class due to safety concerns. Health officials predict a rise in deaths among individuals aged 65 and over, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions, though younger age groups are also at risk.
Concerns also extend to an increase in water-related incidents, including drowning and cold-water shock. During the June heatwave, at least 11 people died in water-related incidents, adding to the 17 fatalities recorded during the May heatwave.
Meanwhile, water companies are implementing restrictions. Southern Water has imposed a hosepipe ban for one million customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, beginning July 10. South East Water's ban for 850,000 customers in Kent, announced previously, is already in effect. Both companies have requested customers reduce water usage to prevent network strain. Anglian Water, supplying eastern England, has urged customers to conserve water but has not yet issued a formal ban.
These restrictions follow the hottest spring and June on record for England and the UK, with May and June experiencing the highest temperatures ever recorded for those months. The provisional all-time June high of 37.7C (99.86F) was set in Norfolk on June 26, and the highest May temperature on record, 35.1C (95.18F), was recorded in London on May 26.
Separately, one of the UK's fastest AI supercomputers, Dawn, owned by the University of Cambridge and used for cancer and climate research, experienced a shutdown during the June heatwave due to technical issues related to the hot weather. The university reported that cooling capacity has been restored and the system is expected to resume operations.