Amber heat health alert issued for parts of England as new heatwave nears

An amber heat health alert has been issued for parts of England from this afternoon, the UK Health Security Agency has said.

The alert, which covers London, the South East, South West and East of England, is in place until 8pm on Tuesday.

A separate yellow heat health alert is also in place for the West Midlands and East Midlands, during the same period.

It comes after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued yellow heat health alerts to parts of the UK earlier this week.

Heatwave conditions are being forecast as temperatures rise, with some areas in the UK set to be hotter than Barbados this weekend.

See the weather forecast where you are

An amber heat health alert means there is likely to be increased demand on all health and social care services by vulnerable populations and an "increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions".

The website also states there is an increased risk of water‑related incidents, including cold‑water shock and drowning.

Explainer: What is cold water shock?

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: "Sustained periods of warm weather can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.

"We are urging health and social care services in affected regions to ensure they are prepared, and reminding people to look out for elderly relatives, neighbours, and those with underlying health conditions, making sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.

Listing simple steps to stay safe in the hot weather, Dr Sousa advised staying hydrated and avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day.

The UKHSA website advises people to keep their homes cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms facing the sun, and by avoiding direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm, when UV levels are at their highest.

It urges those venturing outside to cover up with suitable clothing, such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, and seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly. It also directs anyone doing a physical activity in the hot weather to plan to do it during cooler parts of the day, such as the morning or evening.

May saw a record-breaking heatwave across the UK, with wall-to-wall sunshine and blue skies.

What is the heatwave criteria?

For a heatwave to be declared, temperatures must exceed a daily maximum for three days in a row.

That max temperature varies from area to area:

• For Scotland, Northern Ireland, much of western Wales and northern England, and Cornwall and Devon, temperatures must exceed 25C;
• In areas like Hull, Cardiff and Bournemouth, that threshold is 26C;
• Some of the Home Counties and part of the Midlands declare a heatwave when it's 27C;
• And London, Surrey, Cambridge and Oxford have the highest thresholds at 28C.

Commenting on the newly issued amber alert, Sky News meteorologist Christopher England said: "It's worth remembering that these are not heat warnings directed at the general public - which the Met Office issues in severe conditions - but are more in the way of advisories for health and social care services, which may be significantly impacted, both through direct health impacts and requirements and indirectly through issues with power and staff availability."

They warn of potential issues including internal temperatures in care settings like hospitals and care homes exceeding the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment; the heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services; and increased demand for power exceeding capacity.

The likelihood of an increase in water-related incidents is also highlighted, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning.

May's heatwave saw at least 15 people die in water-related incidents across the UK, including nine children.

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(c) Sky News 2026: Amber heat health alert issued for parts of England as new heatwave nears