Rare red weather warning issued for extreme heat in England and Wales

The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat across central and southern England and Wales, with the alert due to run from Wednesday into Thursday. Forecasters say temperatures could reach 38C or higher, and there is a possibility that the heat could intensify further in some areas. The warning comes as the country prepares for several days of unusually hot weather, including humid conditions and tropical nights in which temperatures do not fall below 20C.

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The forecast suggests a sharp rise in temperatures through the week, with central southern England expected to reach up to 34C on Monday and southern England and south-east Wales set to climb to 37C on Tuesday. A Met Office meteorologist said Wednesday and Thursday could both reach 38C, with the potential for higher readings before temperatures ease slightly on Friday. Forecasters have also said there is growing confidence that this week could break the UK record for the hottest June temperature, which stands at 35.6C and was set in Southampton in 1976.

The UK Health Security Agency has warned of significant impacts across health and social care services, along with a rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with existing health conditions. Separate amber heat health alerts now cover most of England from Monday morning until Friday night, while a yellow alert is in place for the North East of England over the same period. The extreme heat could also disrupt rail, road and air travel, and the Met Office said there is a possibility of some tarmac melting.

The warning matters because it combines a public health risk with the potential for wider disruption to transport and essential services. Red weather warnings are reserved for the most severe conditions and are intended to signal a danger to life or major disruption. In this case, the alert covers a large and densely populated part of the country, increasing the number of people who may be exposed to the heat and its effects.

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The current forecast also reflects a broader pattern of escalating heat-related concern in the UK, where health agencies and transport operators have increasingly had to prepare for extreme summer temperatures. National Rail has advised travellers to check journeys in advance, allow extra time and carry water. The combination of high daytime temperatures and warm nights can make it harder for the body to recover, especially for older people and those with underlying health problems.

What remains unclear is how far temperatures may exceed current forecasts and whether the UK will set a new June record later this week. Officials will be watching for further updates from the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency as the warning period continues. The main issues to monitor are the scale of any health impacts, transport disruption and whether local services face pressure as the heat peaks.

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