Britain is facing a fierce June heatwave, with temperatures forecast to approach or even surpass record highs. Amber heat alerts remain in force across southern, eastern, and western parts of England until Tuesday evening. The UK Health Security Agency has warned of increased health risks, particularly for the elderly, alongside growing pressure on health and social care services. Forecasters predict Monday could see highs of 34°C, making it the hottest day of the year so far, and potentially rivalling the UK’s hottest ever June day of 35.6°C, recorded in Southampton in 1976.
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Wimbledon is also set to see its hottest ever opening day, with Monday’s temperatures expected to exceed the 29.3°C recorded on the tournament’s first day in 2001. If the forecast holds, this year’s Championships could even break the all-time Wimbledon heat record of 35.7°C set in July 2015. Over the weekend, temperatures rose above 30°C in parts of southern England, and by Tuesday they could reach 35°C or more, outpacing even the Caribbean island of Barbados. This dramatic rise in temperatures has been attributed to a shift in wind direction from the west to the south, pulling hot air from Spain and France, where temperatures have exceeded 40°C.
The London Fire Brigade has issued a stark warning of a “severe” wildfire risk, citing extremely dry conditions in many green spaces that border residential areas. London’s assistant fire commissioner, Thomas Goodall, urged the public to take extra care, noting that even a small spark could lead to fast-spreading fires in the capital. Meanwhile, much of the north-west of the UK, as well as Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, will experience cooler, wetter conditions with cloud and heavy rainfall expected.
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This week’s sweltering spell follows a growing global trend of extreme weather linked to climate change. The summer of 2022 saw the UK surpass 40°C for the first time, and earlier this month the Met Office stated there is a 50/50 chance of that figure being reached again within the next 12 years. According to the EU’s Copernicus climate service, Europe experienced its hottest March on record this year. With 2023 confirmed as the hottest year ever recorded, the rising frequency of heatwaves is adding to concerns about the mounting impact of global warming.
