Britain will be gripped by a 36C heatwave from today bringing a ‘rise in deaths’ ahead of what could be the hottest June day on record and the highest temperature in nearly three years as an amber heat health is activated from midday today.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) alert will last until Tuesday at 6pm and covers London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England.
The five-day alert also covers Somerset, where the Glastonbury Festival is taking place and British band The 1975 are set to headline the Pyramid Stage this evening – after the surprise act at the Woodsies Stage this morning turned out to be Lorde.
A yellow alert was also issued for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period amid fears of ‘significant impacts’ for health and social care.
Temperatures could hit 28C (88F) today in southern England, then rise to 30C (85F) tomorrow, 31C (88F) on Sunday, 36C (97F) on Monday and 31C (88F) on Tuesday.
If the mercury gets above 33.2C (91.8F) it would make it the UK’s hottest day of the year so far – beating the current record set last Saturday in Charlwood, Surrey.
The record for the UK’s hottest ever June day will also be under threat, having stood for nearly half a century at 35.6C (96.1F) after being set in 1976 in Southampton.
The hottest day of 2024 was 34.8C (94.6F) in Cambridge on August 12; while the peak in 2023 was 33.5C (92.3F) in Kent on September 10; and the 2022 high was 40.3C (104.5F) on July 19 in Lincolnshire – the UK’s highest temperature on record.
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different areas.
The UK’s first heatwave of the year began on June 20 in many parts of England. That period also saw the first amber heat-health alert issued since September 2023.
The Met Office forecast for London shows temperatures building up to 36C (97F) by Monday
The crowd watch Lorde playing the secret set on the Woodsies Stage at Glastonbury today
New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde performs on the Woodsies Stage at Glastonbury today
Crowds outside the Woodsies Stage for a secret gig by Lorde at the Glastonbury Festival today
Festivalgoers take their places to watch New Zealand singer Lorde at Glastonbury today
New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde performs on the Woodsies Stage at Glastonbury today
Crowds outside the Woodsies Stage for a secret gig by Lorde at the Glastonbury Festival today
Crowd gather at the Woodsies Stage ahead of Lorde’s show at the Glastonbury Festival today
Supergrass performing on the Pyramid Stage during the Glastonbury Festival this afternoon
The crowd during the Supergrass set at the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival today
Festival-goers at Glastonbury watch Supergrass perform on the Pyramid Stage this afternoon
Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said: ‘From Friday onwards we’re starting to once again see the heat build across England and Wales.
‘Scotland and Northern Ireland are going to have a slightly different few days, some parts of western Scotland could see some heavy rain, especially on Friday, and we could potentially see some further rain towards the end of the weekend.
‘On Friday, we’re likely to see temperatures potentially peak around 27C or 28C in central and southern parts of England, it’s going to feel quite humid.
‘On Saturday, the hottest weather will be in the south east, potentially 30C. On Sunday, we’re most likely to see somewhere around 30C or 31C.
‘It looks like the peak of the hot spell will be Monday, at the moment it’s looking between 32C and 34C, there’s a chance it’ll be hotter than the previous (heatwave).
‘Tuesday, some fresher air is going to spread across the country, but we’re potentially likely to see between 31C and 33C.’
Some parts of central and southern England might meet the heatwave criteria by Monday, Mr Snell added.
The Met Office forecast for London on Monday is currently 35C.
Mr Snell also said that as of Monday, some potential thunderstorms could move in, but it is too early to say where they might be.
Temperatures are likely to go back down to the mid-20Cs after Tuesday, which is still above average for the time of year, the forecaster said.
The UKHSA activated the amber alert amid concerns that there could be ‘a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions’.
The warning said ‘significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures’ along with ‘increased demand for power exceeding capacity’ and ‘heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services’.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber and yellow heat health alerts from today
Your browser does not support iframes.
It told of ‘indoor environments overheating, increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings’; and ‘internal temperatures in care settings may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment’.
There could also be ‘issues managing medicines’; ‘staffing issues due to external factors’; and ‘other sectors starting to observe impacts – for example, travel delays’.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: ‘We have already seen a spell of hot weather last week and temperatures are once again set to increase in the coming days, with central, southern and eastern areas of the country likely to see the biggest impacts.
‘Our findings show that heat, especially at the sort of temperatures we are likely to see at the beginning of next week, can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions.
‘It is, therefore, important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.’
The National Pharmacy Association has advised patients to store their medicine away from heat zones and direct sunlight, warning that they can lose effectiveness or cause unwanted side effects.
Vice-chairwoman and pharmacist Sukhi Basra said: ‘It’s important we take sensible precautions, including double-checking that your medication is stored correctly in a cool dry place, as per any storage instructions, ideally below 25C, as well drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your homes cool in the hottest hours of the day.
‘We know the hot weather can be more of a challenge for older people or those with certain health conditions and it’s important people check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours during this period.
‘If anyone has concerns at all about their health or their medication, please speak to your local pharmacy, who will be well placed to help.’
Another pharmacist warned vulnerable Britons to limit their exposure to direct sunlight, encouraging them to consider staying indoors between 11am and 3pm when the risk from overexposure is at its highest.
George Sandhu, deputy superintendent at Well Pharmacy, said: ‘While many people will be out enjoying the warm weather, elderly and vulnerable Brits who are at greater risk because they can have less control over their exposure to the sun.
‘Overexposure to the sun can lead to people becoming seriously unwell through overheating, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.’
Meanwhile data from Virgin Media O2 has predicted network traffic will drop as Brits head outside to enjoy the sunshine this week.
Glastonbury festivalgoers enjoy the sunshine this morning at Worthy Farm in Somerset
Litter pickers clear the Glastonbury site early this morning before the first bands play later
The long queue for the showers at Glastonbury Festival this morning in Pilton, Somerset
An early morning hair wash in a field of tents at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset today
Glastonbury Festival revellers have a morning wash today at the site in Pilton, Somerset
A Glastonbury festivalgoer poses for a photo at Worthy Farm in Somerset this morning
The long queue for the showers at Glastonbury Festival this morning in Pilton, Somerset
Festivalgoers relax in a field of tents at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset this morning
Litter pickers collect nitrous oxide canisters during the Glastonbury morning clean-up today
The long queue for the showers at Glastonbury Festival this morning in Pilton, Somerset
An early morning hair wash in a field of tents at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset today
Glastonbury festivalgoers enjoy the sunshine this morning at Worthy Farm in Somerset
Litter pickers clear the Glastonbury site early this morning before the first bands play later
The long queue for the showers at Glastonbury Festival this morning in Pilton, Somerset
Glastonbury Festival revellers have a morning wash today at the site in Pilton, Somerset
Nitrous oxide canisters left on the grass this morning as the Glastonbury Festival continues
A Glastonbury festivalgoer rests in the sunshine at Worthy Farm in Somerset this morning
An early morning hair wash in a field of tents at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset today
Festivalgoers relax in a field of tents at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset this morning
Analysis of network traffic during the first heatwave earlier this month revealed that traffic fell by 7 per cent when the temperature hit 30C.
Its poll found 41 per cent of UK workers admit to having pulled a sickie to make the most of hot weather, with that figure soaring to six out of ten 18 to 24 year olds.
In Somerset today, music fans at the Glastonbury Festival can expect a clear morning at Worthy Farm and temperatures in the mid 20Cs.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: ‘Friday should start relatively sunny, with temperatures reaching into the mid-20s. However, there will be a touch more cloud later in the day and into the evening.’
British pop rock band The 1975 will be the first headliners to grace the Glastonbury Festival’s Pyramid Stage this year when they perform this evening.
Made up of four school friends, the group, known for songs including Chocolate, Someone Else and About You, is comprised of singer Matt Healy, bassist Ross MacDonald, guitarist Adam Hann, and drummer George Daniel.
The five-day celebration of music and performing arts, which opened its gates on Wednesday, will also see headline performances from veteran rocker Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and US pop star Olivia Rodrigo.
The BBC confirmed yesterday that Young’s Saturday Pyramid Stage set will not be broadcast live ‘at the artist’s request’.
This year’s line-up features a number of acts listed as TBA, as well as a mysterious act called Patchwork, which will take to the Pyramid Stage tomorrow.
Litter pickers clear the Glastonbury site early this morning before the first bands play later
An early morning hair wash in a field of tents at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset today
Glastonbury festivalgoers enjoy the sunshine this morning at Worthy Farm in Somerset
Festivalgoers relax in a field of tents at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset this morning
Glastonbury festivalgoers rest in the sunshine at Worthy Farm in Somerset this morning
Litter pickers clear the Glastonbury site early this morning before the first bands play later
Glastonbury Festival revellers have a morning wash today at the site in Pilton, Somerset
An early morning hair wash in a field of tents at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset today
A suspicious-looking packet on the grass at the Glastonbury Festival site in Somerset today
An early morning hair wash in a field of tents at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset today
Litter pickers collect nitrous oxide canisters during the Glastonbury morning clean-up today
Nitrous oxide canisters left on the grass this morning as the Glastonbury Festival continues
Litter pickers collect nitrous oxide canisters during the Glastonbury morning clean-up today
Nitrous oxide canisters left at the site this morning as the Glastonbury Festival continues
Litter pickers clear the Glastonbury site early this morning before the first bands play later
Litter pickers collect nitrous oxide canisters during the Glastonbury morning clean-up today
Nitrous oxide canisters left at the site this morning as the Glastonbury Festival continues
A suspicious-looking packet on the grass at the Glastonbury Festival site in Somerset today
Litter pickers collect nitrous oxide canisters during the Glastonbury morning clean-up today
Among the music stars performing a secret set was New Zealand singer Lorde, whose fourth-studio album, Virgin, is set for release today.
The pop star had posted a picture of the Woodsies stage to her Instagram account yesterday, fuelling speculation that she could be the act listed as ‘TBA’ at 11.30am.
Earlier in the month, she told BBC Radio 2 that she is ‘pretty keen’ to see if she can ‘pull some strings’ and make an appearance at this year’s festival.
Other performers today include: Irish singer CMAT; hip-hop star Loyle Carner; rock band English Teacher; indie band Wet Leg; and Canadian star Alanis Morissette, who will take to the Pyramid Stage after a TBA act which will be performing at 4.55pm.
Today’s line-up of events also includes a Q&A featuring Australian actress Margot Robbie at Pilton Palais and a Mountainhead Q&A with Jesse Armstrong, along with performances from psychedelic rockers Osees and Britpop veterans Supergrass.
Tomorrow will see Irish rap trio Kneecap, who have seen one of their members charged with a terror offence, perform on the West Holts Stage at 4pm.
Before the festival, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would not be ‘appropriate’ for them to perform their slot at Worthy Farm.
Rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh was charged for allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London in November last year.
Last week, the 27-year-old, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in ‘Free Mo Chara’ T-shirts.
He was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20.
Yesterday evening, the rap trio posted a film they executive produced to social media, titled Stop The Genocide, which includes testimonies from a Palestinian activist and plastic surgeon on the war in Gaza.
Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as some other guests.
Sunrise over the Oxfordshire countryside in Dunsden this morning
Sunrise over the Oxfordshire countryside in Dunsden this morning
Sir Rod’s performance will come after he postponed a string of concerts in the US, due to take place this month, while he recovered from flu.
Among the other acts expected to draw large crowds this year is pop star Charli XCX, who is engaged to The 1975 drummer Daniel and will perform songs from her sixth studio album, Brat.
She is performing on Saturday night on the Other Stage, 15 minutes before the West Holts stage is graced by US rapper Doechii, another artist who has exploded in popularity in the last year.
Other performers include: Prada singer Raye; US musician Brandi Carlile; Nile Rodgers and Chic; US pop star Gracie Abrams; Mercury Prize-winning jazz quintet Ezra Collective; US rapper Denzel Curry; and rising star Lola Young.
This year, the BBC will provide livestreams of the five main stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.
