Health officials issue warning as Britain braces for extreme summer heat
London, 16 June 2025 — The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow heat-health alert for much of England and parts of Wales, as the country prepares for its first major heatwave of the summer. Temperatures are expected to peak at 32–33°C over the weekend — with London, the South East, East Midlands, and West Midlands under special watch. 🌞
This follows a record-breaking spring and marks a significant spike in early-summer heat, raising public health concerns and calls for nationwide preparedness. 🥵🇬🇧
🚨 What the Alert Means
The yellow alert (active until midnight Sunday) indicates:
Increased health risks to vulnerable individuals (elderly, very young, chronically ill)
Extra pressure on NHS services
Greater risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke
Wildfire warnings in rural and forested areas 🌲🔥
“It’s vital that people take sensible precautions — drink plenty of fluids, avoid peak heat hours, and look out for neighbours,” said Dr. Nicola Henderson from UKHSA.
📍 Affected Regions
The alert covers:
London
South East
East Midlands
West Midlands
East of England
Yorkshire and Humber
Parts of Wales
Scotland is also expected to see unseasonably warm temperatures nearing 28°C, making it one of the warmest Junes in years across the UK. 🏴☀️
💧 Stay Safe: Tips from NHS and UKHSA
💦 Hydrate: Aim for 6–8 glasses of water a day
🧊 Cool your space: Use fans, close blinds, and avoid oven use
👵 Check on others: Particularly older neighbours or those living alone
🚫 Avoid strenuous activity between 11am and 3pm
🧴 Use sunblock, wear loose clothing, and stay shaded
🌍 A Bigger Climate Picture
Experts are linking this heatwave to larger climate trends. Spring 2025 was the warmest and sunniest on record in the UK, and meteorologists suggest this could be the beginning of a long, hot summer. 🌡️
Climate scientists warn that such events are becoming more frequent and more intense, and that urban centres like London are especially vulnerable due to the heat island effect.
