Amber heat health alerts to come into force as heatwave reaches 35C peak

Amber heat health alerts set to take effect as temperatures hit a 35 °C peak during the ongoing heatwave. The combination of extreme heat and a continuing lack of rainfall means moisture levels across the country remain a concern. Forecasts show rainfall and isolated showers for Northern Ireland, Scotland and possibly the far north of England, though that hardly a millimetre will fall. From Friday onward rain and scattered showers for Northern Ireland, Scotland and the far north of England, though accumulations are expected to be negligible—hardly a millimetre in many places. By Friday and into the weekend, high pressure is forecast to build across the southern half of the UK, extending the dry spell despite a few showers persisting in the north. The prolonged dry spell has triggered hosepipe bans for millions of households, as noted in the BBC report (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmrnvl2xw8o), and parched vegetation has supplied fuel for wildfires in several areas. According to the Met Office, rainfall in England for the current period stands at 4.4 mm, one of the lowest totals on record—tied with June 1925 and exceeded only by February 1891, when 3.3 mm were measured. Wisley in Surrey has recorded 41 consecutive days without rain as of 28 July, marking it among the driest spots in south‑east England. In Wales, where drought conditions were declared in parts last week, rainfall totals are so low that July 2026 now ranks as the fourth‑driest month since records began.