Amber heat health alerts issued as temperatures to soar

Amber heat health alerts have been issued for parts of England as temperatures are set to climb to more than 30C.

They will be in force from 12:00 BST on Friday until 18:00 BST on Tuesday, with the warmest weather expected on Sunday and Monday.

The amber alerts will be in place for five regions - East Midlands, South East, South West, East and London - while less serious yellow heat health alerts will be in force for two areas, Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns that the hot weather is likely to bring increased pressures on health and social care services.

The new heat health alerts come as a second heatwave of 2025 is expected in parts of the UK. The first heatwave saw this year's hottest day recorded - 33.2C in Charlwood, Surrey on 21 June.

Humidity is set to increase on Friday as a warm airmass associated with the recent extreme heatwave in the USA makes its way across the Atlantic.

While temperatures will be warm for most of England, rain and showers are forecast in the North West.

It is forecast to become much hotter over the weekend as a ridge of high pressure over Europe influences our weather.

On Saturday temperatures will more widely cross 'heatwave thresholds' before getting more intense into Monday, which is likely to be the peak of the hot weather.

In East Anglia and south-east England temperatures are likely to reach 33-34C, challenging or surpassing the highest temperature of 2025.

The UKHSA alert system works in conjunction with the Met Office but has a focus on health risks in a bid to provide early warnings for health and government services.

There are four levels of warning - green, yellow, amber and red - an amber warning means the whole health service is likely to be affected by the hot weather.

Among examples given by UKHSA are difficulties managing medicines, the ability of the workforce to deliver services and internal temperatures in care settings exceeding the recommended thresholds.

The agency also refers to a possible rise in deaths - particularly among those aged 65 or over or with health conditions - as well as health risks to the wider population.