Amber heat warning issued for southern England and southeast Wales

An amber extreme heat warning has been issued for much of southern England and southeastern Wales, with the Met Office warning that people and infrastructure could feel the strain at the start of next week. Water safety is a particular concern as temperatures climb toward the mid-30s Celsius and the risk of travel disruption grows.

The warning came as the hot spell built through the weekend, with headline highs of around 32C expected in the south and southeast of England on Sunday and a potential 33C on Monday. Steve Ramsdale said the forecast points to a period of intense heat that will not be confined to one day, raising the prospect of sustained pressure on everyday services as well as on public health.

The UK Health Security Agency has also put heat-health alerts in place until 8pm on 23 June. Its alert service covers England only and runs from June to September, aimed at health and social care professionals and others trying to reduce harm from hot weather. The agency says older people, babies and young children are more likely to become unwell when temperatures stay high, and it has previously reported that the South East had the highest heat-associated mortality rate when adjusted for population size.

That health risk lands on a service already under strain. NHS England said A&E departments recorded 2,457,398 attendances in May 2026, the busiest month on record, and that the health service has already seen two record-breaking months for A&E demand this year. The NHS is urging people who need care to come forward despite pressure on services, after recent hot weather added to demand on emergency departments and ambulances.

The warning also underlines how quickly extreme heat is becoming a test of adaptation rather than an occasional inconvenience. Sheffield City Council has said climate change is already bringing bigger energy and food bills, unpredictable and extreme weather, increased flood risk and negative health impacts. With the Met Office flagging risks to both people and infrastructure, the heatwave is exposing the gap between hotter summers and the pace of preparation across public services.