Health officials warn of sustained high temperatures across England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland brace for storms and possible flooding.
Alert Covers Seven English Regions
England’s prolonged spell of hot weather has prompted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to extend a yellow heat health alert for seven regions until 18:00 BST on 18 August. The notice applies to Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, London, the South East, South West, and East of England.
The warning level has been downgraded from amber, but authorities say vulnerable groups, including older people and those with pre-existing health conditions, remain at risk. Hospitals and care providers have been advised to monitor patients closely for signs of heat stress and dehydration.
Scotland and Northern Ireland Face Thunderstorms
While southern parts of the UK bake, the Met Office has a different warning further north. A yellow thunderstorm alert covers large parts of Scotland until midnight on Wednesday, extending to Northern Ireland until 22:00 on Thursday.
Forecasters say slow-moving downpours could lead to:
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Localised flash flooding
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Spray and standing water on roads
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Disruption to bus and rail services
Central and south-east Scotland are expected to be hardest hit, with storms arriving on Thursday after days of unusually warm weather.
Temperatures Push Records Again
Tuesday’s heatwave peak saw 33.4°C recorded in three locations: Northolt in north-west London, Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, and Benson in Oxfordshire. Wales reached 32.8°C in Cardiff, while Scotland saw 29.4°C at Charterhall, and Northern Ireland hit 27.8°C in Armagh.
Although Scotland and Northern Ireland have not officially met the three-day heatwave definition, both have experienced temperatures well above seasonal norms, with some areas in Scotland hitting 29°C on Wednesday.
Mixed Weather Pattern
The combination of extreme heat in the south and thunderstorms in the north reflects the unstable conditions gripping the UK this summer. Meteorologists attribute the pattern to a persistent area of high pressure drawing warm air from continental Europe, colliding with cooler Atlantic fronts.
With this heat health alert set to run into next week, forecasters say people should expect further sharp contrasts in weather between different regions of the country.
