A yellow heat health alert has been extended across London and much of England as the capital sizzles in its fourth heatwave of the summer.
The alerts are in place from 6pm on Wednesday to 6pm next Monday and affect seven regions across the country — Yorkshire and The Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, the South East, and South West.
An amber heat alert was due to end at 6pm in the Midlands, London, the South East, and East of England., while a less serious yellow heat health alert had been in place for the North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, and the South West before the extension was announced.
Tuesday's temperatures reached 33.4C in Benson in Oxfordshire and Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, while Wednesday's highs are likely to be further north.
Temperatures in the capital reached highs of 29C today and will rise again to 30C on Friday, before settling at 25C at the end of the week.
The Greater London Authority has provided a list of the coolest places to visit in the city to escape the stifling weather - see the full interactive map here.
Paul Gundersen, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office said: “Some areas will continue to experience their fourth heatwave of the summer so far, with Thursday remaining warm or very warm for many, though cooler near coasts. Temperatures could still reach 30°C in eastern England, though many areas will be a few degrees cooler than earlier in the week” .
The weekend looks largely settled, with dry and sunny conditions for most across the UK. The far southwest may experience the odd shower and it may feel windy at times.
Temperatures look to be near average in the east, but could be warm or very warm in the west, with locally hot conditions in the southwest, the Met Office predicts.
The UK Health Authority’s amber warning has advised that people over the age of 65 or those with serious health conditions are at greater risk due to the heat, which could put strain on health and social care services.
The National Drought Group, which includes the Met Office and water firms, also met on Tuesday over what it said was now a "nationally significant incident" in England.
A hosepipe ban remains in place in Yorkshire, while Thames Water, South East Water, and Southern Water have bans in certain postcodes.
A blaze burnt through around four hectares of Wanstead Flats hours after a fire ripped through the park on Monday. It was not immediately clear if the same area had caught fire two days in a row.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to a fire near Centre Road by Wanstead Flats at 1.32pm on Tuesday.
Around four hectares of grassland caught fire with the London Fire Brigade using a wildfire response vehicle and wildfire beaters, a long-handled stick with rubber at the end, to fight the flames.
As high pressure builds to the north this weekend it will stay very warm for many 🌡️
— Met Office (@metoffice) August 13, 2025
However, the change in wind direction could bring cooler and cloudier weather along eastern coasts ☁️
Here is the latest...👇 pic.twitter.com/U6IsPHZo69
Dr Paul Coleman, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: “Temperatures are forecast to rise above 30C across central and southern parts of the country over the next few days, and generally hot weather is expected across most regions of England.
“These kind of temperatures can result in serious health outcomes across the population – particularly in those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with serious health conditions – so it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.”
Officials have warned that England is suffering from “nationally significant” water shortfalls despite rain in July.
Five areas of the country remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status.
England is seeing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the group said.
