UK faces back‑to‑back heatwaves after record‑hot June

June 2026 was the hottest on record for England, with a provisional 37.7 °C reading at Lingwood, Norfolk, and the second‑warmest June for the United Kingdom overall. The Met Office issued rare red heat‑health warnings and a yellow alert covering the south, east and Midlands, warning of heightened risk to vulnerable people and stressing the strain on NHS and social‑care services.

The heatwave disrupted transport, forced schools and hospitals to declare critical incidents and sparked a surge in demand for fans and portable air‑conditioners. Scientists attribute the intensity of the event to human‑induced climate change, noting that a comparable spell in 1976 would have been several degrees cooler. Forecasts predict a second heatwave from early July, with temperatures expected to reach the high 20s to low 30s across most of England and Wales, and some models suggesting isolated spots could briefly climb toward 40 °C. New yellow health alerts have been issued for the same regions, warning of increased heat‑related illness and water‑related incidents.

Meteorologists say the upcoming spell will differ from earlier June heatwaves: while temperatures may again breach heatwave thresholds, record‑breaking highs and the extreme humidity of the June event are unlikely to repeat. Nonetheless, the Met Office warns that a third heatwave later in July remains “increasingly likely,” keeping public health authorities on alert.