Met Office heatwave verdict as 34C scorcher forecast with amber alerts issued
Met Office heatwave verdict as 34C scorcher forecast with amber alerts issued for 4 areas
The UK is set to face another heatwave this weekend as health alerts have been issued
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Add us as preferred source Comments By Olivia Beeson 04:03, Fri, Jun 19, 2026 Updated: 04:15, Fri, Jun 19, 2026 
The UK can expect another heatwave to sweep across parts of the nation during the weekend with temperatures of 34C or more forecast.
An amber heat health alert has been issued for four areas, including the east, South East and South West of England, as well as London.
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The alert was in place from 12pm on Thursday and lasts until 8pm on Tuesday.
Parts of the south and South East are likely to meet the heatwave threshold during the weekend and there is a 40 per cent chance of exceeding the highest ever temperature for June, which is 35.6C set in 1957 and 1976, the Met Office said, mirroring the record breaking temperatures of May.
It's turning hotter, with many places reaching heatwave conditions??????️
This is due to high pressure bringing sinking, warming air
It brings record-breaking heat to parts of Europe, with some of it reaching the southeast of the UK on Sunday and spreading more widely on Monday ?????? pic.twitter.com/eHXOtM10E9
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 18, 2026
East Anglia could see 32C on Friday before the warm air temporarily shifts away from the UK leaving Saturday with a potential high of 28C.
However, on Sunday temperatures will rise again with parts of the south and South East expected to reach 32C and then climb to or beyond 34C on Monday for some.
These temperatures are “pretty unusual even for the middle part of June”, Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said.
The heat could trigger some thunderstorms on Sunday in the South East and East Anglia on Sunday.
But the hot spell may not bring the “wall-to-wall sunshine and blue skies” of the May heatwave, deputy chief forecaster, Gregory Wolverson, said.
Cloud and fairly high humidity could make it feel “rather oppressive at times”, he added.
Temperature records were repeatedly broken during the May heatwave with 35.1C measured at Kew Gardens and 32.9C at Cardiff’s Bute Park.
During this period, there were 15 deaths in open water across the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)’s amber health warning means an “increased demand” is likely to be placed on health and social care services, and could result in a rise in deaths.
Those aged 65 and over, as well as those with health conditions, will be most vulnerable, it said, though there may also be impacts on younger age groups.
Yellow health alerts have also been issued in the East and West Midlands, warning of minor impacts on services.
The Met Office defines a heatwave as three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding a location-specific heatwave temperature threshold.
Samantha Hughes, the national water safety partner at the RNLI, warned: “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.
“If you find yourself struggling in the water, remember to Float to Live: tilt your head back so your ears are submerged, relax and control your breathing.
“You may need to gently use your hands to help you stay afloat, and it’s ok if your legs sink – everyone floats differently.”
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
