London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

UK's Met Office issues first extreme weather warning over heatwave

UK's Met Office issues first extreme weather warning over heatwave

The UK has been under heatwave conditions in recent days but temperatures will climb further this week, possibly reaching 33°C in some western parts, the Met Office said.

Britain's meteorological agency issued its first-ever extreme weather warning, forecasting that the mercury could climb to 33°C later this week.

The Met Office said the Amber Extreme Heat Warning covers all of Wales, all of southwest England and parts of southern and central England.

It will be in force until the end of Thursday.

The UK has been under heatwave conditions in recent days but temperatures will climb further this week, possibly reaching 33°C in some western parts, the Met Office said.

These "unusually high temperatures" as well as "continuing high nighttime temperatures" can have potential impacts for heath, it noted.

Public Health England (PHE) has meanwhile extended its Heat Health Alert to Thursday. It is currently at Level 3, which requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions for high-risk groups.

Dr Owen Landeg, Scientific and Technical lead at PHE stressed that "it is important to keep checking on those who are most vulnerable such as older people and those with heart and lung conditions."

"As we experience the first hot weather of the year, it's important for everyone to remember to adapt their behaviours. This is particularly important during the pandemic with so many people self-isolating," he added.

The Met Office created its extreme heat warning in June 2021 to inform the public of potential widespread disruption and adverse health effects.

It explained at the time that as a result of climate change, the UK is now much more likely to see prolonged spells of hot weather and that this can impact health and even cause death — more than 2,250 excess deaths were reported during heatwaves in the summer of 2020. But it can also negatively impact infrastructure, including transport and energy, as well as the wider business community.

The latest State of the UK climate report released in July 2020 highlighted that warm spells in the UK have doubled in length from an average of 5.3 days between 1961-1990 to over 13 days in the 2008-2017 period.

It also flagged that record-breaking temperatures observed in the 2018 summer season are now 30 times more likely than in pre-industrial times and that they could become the new normal by the 2050s because of climate change.

The World Meteorological Organisation, a United Nations' agency, said last week that "unusual planetary wavy patterns" this summer have brought "unprecedented heat, droughts, cold and wet conditions in various places."

Some parts of Western Europe have been battered by rain with up to two months of rainfall observed in just two days on soils that were already near saturation. This triggered devastating and deadly floods in Germany and Belgium where nearly 200 people have lost their lives.

Northern Europe, however, was sweltering under an extended heatwave. Finland also recorded its warmest June on record.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×