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The UK has just experienced its hottest day of the year, with temperatures surpassing 32°C as parts of the country officially entered a heatwave. Kew and Heathrow in London recorded highs of 32.2°C, beating the previous 2025 record of 29.4°C set in Suffolk on 13 June.
Suffolk became the first area to officially meet heatwave criteria after exceeding 27°C for three consecutive days. Amber-level heat health alerts have been issued across England until Monday morning, with the UK Health Security Agency warning of potential strain on healthcare services.
Forecasts suggest that temperatures could peak at 33°C on Saturday in central and eastern England, with some areas possibly enduring "tropical nights," where temperatures stay above 20°C overnight. Wales and Northern Ireland also experienced record highs for the year, with 30.2°C in Cardiff and 25.7°C in Castlederg, respectively. Glasgow Bishopton reached 24.4°C, slightly below Scotland's annual high so far.
Heatwave thresholds vary across the UK, ranging from 25°C in the north and west to 28°C in parts of England. London, currently experiencing its second day above the threshold, could officially be in a heatwave by Friday.
At the Royal Ascot event in Berkshire, the heat led to dozens needing medical attention. The UKHSA's alert system, which operates alongside the Met Office, highlights health impacts such as issues with medication, care home temperatures, and increased mortality risks among vulnerable populations.
The extreme heat is caused by a high-pressure system pulling in warm air from Western Europe. Friday will see widespread temperatures in the mid to high 20s, while central and eastern regions are likely to reach 30–34°C on Saturday. Northern and western areas may cool slightly with chances of thunderstorms.
Regional fire services, including the London Fire Brigade, have issued safety warnings about open water, highlighting the dangers of strong currents and cold water shock. Meanwhile, the British Heart Foundation and Age UK have urged people with heart conditions and the elderly to take precautions.
A shift in wind direction by Sunday is expected to bring cooler weather, although the east may still see highs in the upper 20s.
Climate change continues to influence extreme heat, with scientists warning that we may have just three years left to keep global warming within the 1.5°C target set in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The Met Office notes that heatwaves are now 30 times more likely than in pre-industrial times and could occur every other year by the 2050s due to rising greenhouse gas emissions.
