Amber heat health warnings have come into force across parts of England, ahead of the peak of the UK's fourth heatwave of the year.
Much of England and Wales will see temperatures of 25-28C this week, with highs of 34C possible in some areas. Heatwave thresholds are expected to be met in several regions. The amber warnings, which cover central and southern England, indicate a risk of increased deaths, higher demand for healthcare services, and potential travel disruption.
The alert comes as England suffers from “nationally significant” water shortages, according to the National Drought Group, which includes the Met Office, government bodies, and water companies.
Drought, Leaks, and Hosepipe Bans đź’§
The group said England is suffering widespread environmental and agricultural consequences from the drought, including poor crop yields, reduced feed for livestock, damage to river wildlife, and an increased risk of wildfires.
Millions of people across England are now under hosepipe bans aimed at reducing water consumption. While water companies have blamed the heat and lack of rain, they have been heavily criticised for failing to fix leaks in the systems they manage. The GMB union called a hosepipe ban by Thames Water “disgraceful,” noting the company alone had leaked 200 billion litres of water in the last year.
This summer's drought began after a long period of low rainfall and the sixth driest spring since records began in 1836.
Health Alerts and Travel Disruption
The amber heat health warnings, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), came into effect in the Midlands, East of England, London, and the South East at 09:00 BST on Wednesday and will run until 18:00 BST on Friday. The rest of England is covered by less severe yellow alerts.
Dr Paul Coleman, a public health consultant at the UKHSA, said people are becoming more aware of the dangers of hot weather. “I think the most reassuring thing is that it does seem that people are getting used to it,” he told the BBC. “It appears that people are making the correct decisions in protecting themselves.”
Overheating can result in heat exhaustion or heatstroke. The latter is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. The elderly, young children, and people with long-term health conditions are particularly vulnerable.
The cycle of heatwaves has also begun to impact rail services, with cancellations and speed limits on some Greater Anglia and South Western routes. The heat and drought have caused the ground beneath some tracks to shrink—a phenomenon known as ‘soil moisture deficit’—disrupting services.
"Catastrophic" Harvest for Farmers
Farmers across England have been struggling as they approach harvest. Clarkson's Farm star Jeremy Clarkson wrote on social media: “It’s going to be a catastrophic harvest this year. Anyone who eats food should be worried about this.”
Norfolk farmer Kit Papworth said: “The harvest is earlier than usual, but yields are depressed. We haven't got the crop we should have.”
Martin Williams, a third-generation arable farmer in Herefordshire, said 2025 would be a write-off for his crops. "It's burnt brown, it looks like toast. It's all stunted and dead."
The Forecast and Climate Context
While linking specific weather events to climate change is complex, scientists state that climate change is making heatwaves hotter, longer, and more frequent. Sir David King, Chair of the Global Climate Crisis Advisory Group, told the BBC that the drought conditions were “a clear indication that climate change is unravelling our water, food, and natural systems.”
The heat will remain for a third day in the west on Wednesday, though temperatures may dip slightly. For most, the heat will fade on Thursday, with a risk of thunderstorms and cooler air moving in for Friday. However, temperatures could rise again over the weekend.
