An amber heat-health alert has been put in place for London and other areas of England from 9:00 on Tuesday 28 July to 9:00 on Thursday 30 July, as a surge of hot air is forecast to push temperatures sharply higher in the South East.
What forecasters say
Model guidance from WX Charts and the Met Office indicates the warmest conditions will fall around Wednesday 29 July, with the capital moving from an expected high of 25C on Monday to roughly 29C on Tuesday and about 33C on Wednesday. Some forecasts suggest local maxima could reach as high as 35C in parts of the South East.
Official alert and health advice
“The existing yellow heat-health alert for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London has been upgraded to amber and will be in place from 9am on Tuesday 28 July until 9am on Thursday 30 July.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned that rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for older people, young children and those with underlying medical conditions. The amber level signals a heightened need for public awareness and preparedness.
Regional split and context
Forecasters say the approaching warm spell will produce a clear north–south contrast: cloud and showers are expected to linger across Northern Ireland, Scotland and much of northern England, while the South East and London will experience the most sustained heat. Drought conditions are already in place in parts of Wales and the Upper Severn, and many areas of England have seen unusually low rainfall this month.
- Alert period: 9:00, 28 July – 9:00, 30 July (amber for London, South East, East of England, East Midlands)
- Temperatures (selected forecasts): 25C (Mon), 29C (Tue), 33C (Wed); local peaks up to 35C possible
- Regional note: Northern regions likely to remain cooler with cloud and rain
| Day | London forecast |
|---|---|
| Monday | 25C |
| Tuesday | 29C |
| Wednesday | 33C (possible local 35C) |
Practical guidance
Public-health and practical measures advised for the heat include:
- Keep hydrated and avoid strenuous activity in the hottest hours.
- Check on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be vulnerable.
- Act to keep homes cool — close curtains on sun-facing windows and ventilate in the cooler evening hours.
- Seek medical advice promptly if heat-related symptoms (dizziness, rapid heartbeat, confusion) appear.
The Met Office and UKHSA will continue to monitor conditions and may update alerts as the situation evolves. With high temperatures expected to be short-lived, forecasters suggest temperatures will ease back toward seasonal norms by the weekend.
Reporting draws on WX Charts model guidance, Met Office forecasts and UKHSA alerting information.
