Britain is bracing for its fifth heatwave of the year as temperatures are forecast to reach 35C in south-east England by midweek, with the UK Health Security Agency issuing yellow heat health alerts across most of England. The Met Office warned that readings could hit 36C in parts of East Anglia and the south-east by Thursday, marking a potential fourth consecutive month above 35C.
Successive heatwaves have already been linked to roughly 3,000 deaths, while more than 20 million people now face water restrictions after July became the driest on record for England and Wales since 1836. Drought conditions cover more than half of England and all of Wales, with reservoir storage falling to 69%, nearly 12 points below the seasonal average.
The broader climate picture adds concern: models predict the current El Niño could make 2027 the hottest year since records began in 1850.