Extreme heat amber weather warning issued as UK set to hit 35°C

A heatwave is expected to build over the weekend ahead of an extreme heat warning next week with the temperatures set to hit 35°C, the Met Office has warned. The amber extreme heat warning will be in place on Monday and Tuesday for London, the east and south-east of England, and parts of the south-west of England and Wales, according to the UK’s national weather forecaster. Parts of southern and eastern England are likely to face heatwaves during the weekend, with the mercury set to hit up to 35°C in London at the start of next week, the Met Office warned. The Met Office said there is “growing confidence” the current highest temperature on record for June, 35.6°C recorded in Southampton in 1976, will be broken. The new warnings come after a record-breaking heatwave in May which saw temperatures soar to 35.1°C at Kew Gardens in London, the highest recorded temperature for May since 1922. Large parts of Western Europe are set to endure the second extreme heat wave of the year, with temperatures expected to reach 42°C in France where half of the population is under a severe weather warning. The heatwave warnings bring potential health effects for people vulnerable to extreme heat and heat-related issues for the wider population, as well as a potential increase in water safety incidents. The warning differs from amber heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Temperatures could reach a high of 28°C on Saturday before rising again on Sunday where areas in the south and south-east of England are forecast to reach 32°C. The Met Office expects the current highest temperature on record for June – 35.6°C recorded in Southampton in 1976 – to be broken in this current spell (Photo: Dylan Martinez/Reuters) At the start of next week, temperatures are predicted to increase up to 34°C or above on Monday and they are again likely to reach the mid-30s on Tuesday. The UKHSA has issued amber heat health alerts for the east, south-east and south-west of England, as well as London, until 8pm on Tuesday. Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Greg Wolverson, said: “While heatwave criteria will be met for some in the south and south-east of England over the weekend, with temperatures into the low 30°Cs possible, the warmth will expand and intensify at the start of next week, which, coupled with high temperatures overnight, leads to potential impacts. “Temperatures will peak around the mid-30°Cs on Monday and Tuesday. The humidity will also mean this feels close, warmer and more uncomfortable for many. Tropical nights – where the temperature doesn’t drop below 20°C – are also likely for some.” The hot weather may bring thunder and downpours for some on Monday and Tuesday, but this forecast should be “fairly isolated”, the Met Office said. Temperatures are predicted to increase up to 34°C or above on Monday and are again likely to reach the mid-30s on Tuesday (Photo: Richard Baker/Getty) A punishing heatwave sweeping across much of Europe prompted emergency meetings in France, ⁠nationwide warnings in Germany and strains on tourists and residents in Italy, as temperatures climbed towards record levels. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was due to hold a crisis meeting on Saturday after the national weather agency Meteo France warned the heat would persist into next ⁠week, describing it as comparable to major episodes ​in ⁠2003 and 2019. Amber weather warning UPDATED Extreme heat across parts of England and WalesMonday 22 and Tuesday 23 JuneLatest info https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfsStay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/qjNu88R6uB— Met Office (@metoffice) June 20, 2026 By Sunday, forecasters said temperatures of 39-40°C would stretch from the south-west through the Paris region into Burgundy, ⁠with some areas possibly reaching 41°C. The high temperatures may continue across a smaller part of the country into the middle of the week, but this remains uncertain for now, the forecaster added. In the UK, at least 15 people died after incidents in open water during hot weather in May. Samantha Hughes, national water safety partner at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said: “With warmer weather approaching, it’s important to remember that the water is still cold. “Entering it unexpectedly can lead to cold water shock, causing a sudden increase in breathing and heart rate, which may trigger panic.”