The Met Office is considering rare amber and red warnings as extreme heat raises concerns over health, infrastructure, drought and food security.
The United Kingdom is bracing for another spell of extreme heat, with temperatures expected to climb to around 36C and the Met Office considering whether rare red weather alerts may be needed as conditions intensify across parts of the country.
England and Wales are expected to see temperatures rise sharply after a brief cooler spell on Monday. Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said mid-30C temperatures could become widespread on Wednesday and Thursday, with Thursday currently forecast to be the hottest day of the week and carrying a small possibility of temperatures exceeding 36C.
The scale of the heat is becoming increasingly significant. Sunday was the 35th day in 2026 on which temperatures in Britain exceeded 30C, with a peak of 30.6C recorded.
The prolonged heat and lack of rainfall are also adding pressure to already dry conditions. Around half of England and Wales are experiencing near-drought conditions, while officials warn that additional areas could soon be designated as affected zones.
The extreme weather is raising concerns beyond temperatures alone. Authorities are monitoring potential disruption to railway infrastructure and power networks, while prolonged dryness could place further pressure on agriculture and food supplies.
Health risks are another major concern. The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat-health alerts across the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. The alerts are currently in place through Tuesday evening and could be extended if severe heat continues.
The Met Office has confirmed that both amber and red weather warnings are being actively considered as forecasts develop. A red warning would represent an unusually serious level of weather risk and could signal significant disruption to daily life.
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