If you are struggling through the current heatwave, you may be surprised to know that it is not classed as extreme heat – at least according to the Met Office.
In the previous heatwave in June, the Met Office issued “red” warnings of extreme heat for London and the Home Counties, when temperatures were only a few degrees higher than they are now.
Forecasts in June were that some areas could reach 40°C and at times, felt higher although in the end, the highest temperature recorded was 37°C, in Norfolk.
This time round, temperatures hit between 34-35°C in southern and eastern England, but the Met Office has issued neither its red or amber warning for the heat.
On the other hand, heat warnings have come from the UK Health Security Agency, whose focus is health and any impacts on the NHS and social services.
The agency has issued an amber warning for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West, from Friday to Sunday. The North East has had a yellow warning, one level down.
These amber and yellow warnings mean that health risks are increased, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Greenwich Park on July 10, 2026 in London, England. Britain’s Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat health alerts for the Midlands, eastern and southern England through to 12 July as temperatures are forecast to build into heatwave conditions. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)“We don’t currently expect the health impacts to be as high as the heatwave we saw at the end of June but older adults and those with pre-existing conditions are still at risk,” said Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the agency.
Why the Met Office differs
So, why hasn’t the Met Office extreme weather warning system kicked in? That’s because, rather than just health, the agency weighs up a wider range of impacts from the heat, including risks to infrastructure, transport and other essential services, said a spokesperson.
And Met Office warnings are based, not on just the peak daytime temperature , but also overnight temperatures, humidity levels, the duration of the heatwave and how unusual the conditions are for the time of year.
“The June heatwave resulted in extreme heat Warnings because of a combination of very high temperatures, exceptionally warm overnight conditions and high humidity, all of which were expected to lead to significant impacts,” said the spokesperson.
“While the current heatwave is bringing very warm conditions, the forecast impacts are currently considered lower than during the June event,” they said. “Humidity levels are lower and there is likely to be more overnight relief from the heat. As a result, the heat is expected to place less sustained stress on people, infrastructure and services.”
Spectators seek shade on as they watch the Men’s Singles quarter-final match between Arthur Fery at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon in London (Photo:: Adam Davy/PA)But the current heatwave may start placing more strain on people because of its persistence, warned Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, a meteorologist at the University of Reading.
While Thursday and Friday are thought to have been the peak of the high temperatures, it is still forecast to be warmer than average into next week. While the east of England will start cooling, the warmer temperatures will spread west into Wales and Ireland.
That means this summer could “beat” the record-breaking summer of 1976 for the most number of days with temperatures over 30°C, said Professor Charlton-Perez.
“Psychologically, that 30 degree threshold is an important one,” he said. “And we are well on our way to meeting and passing the number of 30 degree days that happened in 1976.”
So far this year, there have been 12 days where the Reading University Atmospheric Observatory has recorded temperatures of 30°C or more, while in 1976 there were 14 such days.
There have also been six separate days of 35°C or higher for the first time recorded, the previous records were five days of 35°C and above seen in 1976 and 2020.
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