Temperatures are set to soar again this week and could reach heatwave levels, bringing sleepless nights and travel disruption.
The UK has hardly recovered from the gruelling June hot spell when another warm weather front is set to land.
Temperatures could rise up to 35C during this week’s heatwave, which has gripped the US over the July 4 weekend, killing at least 25 people as the heat dome brought over 38C in eastern parts of the country.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber and yellow heat health alerts, with all of England under a warning zone from Wednesday until Sunday.
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Soaring temperatures could cause a higher risk to life to vulnerable people, and have a minor impact on health and social care services due to more demand.
Full list of areas under yellow and amber heat health alert
The amber heat health alert, the second-highest category, has been issued for London, South East, South West, East of England and East and West Midlands.
A yellow alert will cover the North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Both warnings are in place from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Sunday, July 12.
Stephen Keates, Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster, said: ‘Parts of the UK are entering heatwave conditions: the third heatwave in the UK so far this year.
‘However, unlike the May and June heatwaves, we are not expecting this heatwave to be record-breaking.
‘Temperatures this week are not expected to reach the highs we witnessed last month, though parts of southern England in particular are likely to see several days in the low 30s, and few places could reach 34-35C later this week.’
A week of tropical nights
Londoners and large parts of the south face a week of tropical nights as temperatures could stay well above 20C even after dusk until at least Saturday.
Are you ready for another heatwave?
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Hot weather is expected to hamper travel this week, with National Rail warning of disruption on the railways, which happened during the June heatwave as passengers faced timetable changes and issues with broken trains.
And the warnings are beginning to roll in, with Great Western Railway being the first one to warn passengers of changes. GWR said it will run fewer trains between London Paddington and Reading due to severe weather until Thursday.
A heatwave will build across England and Wales this week, with temperatures in the low to mid 30s Celsius each day ????️
Also warming up across parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland later this week ☀️ pic.twitter.com/fSis0XDwDk
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 6, 2026
National Rail said: ‘The forecast weather may cause trains to be disrupted. Heat can cause overhead lines to expand and sag, line-side fires and also rails to buckle.’
The good news is that this week’s mini heatwave is not expected to hit quite as hard and humid as the June scorcher, which saw large parts of England being placed under a rare extreme heat warning.
A provisional new record high of 37.7C was clocked at Lingwood, Strumpshaw Hill on June 26.
However, the forecast mini heatwave is causing concern among healthcare professionals after fears conditions could become unbearable for patients and staff.
The Doctors’ Association UK (DAUK) is calling for a maximum safe working temperature for hospitals and GP surgeries.
Dr Matt Lee, DAUK’s sustainability lead, said: ‘As the country prepares for yet another heatwave, healthcare professionals across the country will again face brutal working conditions and patients will be at risk.
‘This is the latest baseline of extreme weather events which will only continue to worsen as greenhouse gas emissions rise.
‘We urge the government to introduce a maximum working temperature and invest in hospital infrastructure to make our healthcare facilities safe for staff and patients.’
During the June heatwave, at least six NHS Trusts declared critical incidents after cooling units and IT meltdowns due to heat.
France, Spain and Portugal saw a spike in heat-related deaths from the June hot spell, and the western and southern European countries are now facing another heatwave.
Wildfires are wreaking havoc in the Pyrenees in southern France, forcing over 10,000 to leave their homes as the flames gather force in the bone-dry conditions.
Men’s Tour de France organisers have banned cycling fans from gathering for the final stretch of the bike race’s third stage today.
The leg is set to finish 37 miles from the wildfire, so only riders and their maintenance vehicles will be allowed for the final 24 miles.
Where to cool down in London
With the mercury creeping up as the week goes and pavements sizzling, Londoners will be on the lookout for swimming and green spots.
London mayor and City Hall have put together a map of all cool spaces, free water fountains and green canopy spots.
If you’re desperate to go for a dip, check out Metro’s list of lidos and outdoor pools here.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
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