Britain is facing one of the hottest days in its recorded history, with temperatures forecast to reach as high as 38C, prompting a rare amber extreme heat warning, rail passengers being urged to travel only if essential, and continued efforts to bring a major wildfire under control in the New Forest.
Britain is facing one of its hottest days on record today, with temperatures forecast to reach 38C and rail passengers urged to make only essential journeys as the heat takes hold. The Met Office has issued a rare 15-hour amber “extreme heat” warning for parts of central and southern England, coming into force at 9am this morning. The whole of England is separately covered by a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) amber heat health alert until tomorrow night, which warns of a “rise in deaths” linked to the conditions.
How hot could it get?
Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said temperatures could reach highs of around 36C, 37C, or possibly 38C. Should the mercury hit 38C, it would make today Britain’s joint fifth hottest day on record, matching the temperature recorded in Norfolk on 26 June, which currently stands as the highest reading of 2026.
Burkill explained the significance of such extreme heat: “Now when you get these sorts of high temperatures, well that’s when we could see impacts to our infrastructure, our railway lines, our roads, they are not designed for this sort of heat. And more people are likely to be impacted by how hot it is with regards to their health.”
He added that today could set a new seasonal record. “It could be the hottest day of the year so far if we get above 38C, and if we get above 38.5C, well it could be the hottest August day on record, but that’s actually pretty unlikely.”
Rail disruption expected
The extreme heat, part of the UK’s sixth heatwave of the year, is expected to cause widespread disruption to rail services. Chiltern Railways and East Midlands Railway both urged passengers to “only travel if essential” as temperatures climb. Reduced services were also confirmed by c2c, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Northern, Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway, reflecting the scale of disruption anticipated across the network as high temperatures place strain on infrastructure not designed to withstand such heat.
Wildfires spread across England and Wales
The extreme heat comes as fire chiefs confirmed that 1,017 wildfires have already been recorded across England and Wales so far in 2026, matching the record-breaking total recorded for the whole of 2025. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) confirmed the figures, underlining the scale of the wildfire risk building across the country this summer.
Crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service remain at the scene of a blaze that has hit protected heathland in the New Forest, with the fire service saying crews are expected to remain there for at least another three days. The fire began after a van caught alight on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday.
NFCC chairman Phil Garrigan explained the factors driving the rise in wildfire risk: “Most wildfires in the UK are caused because of human behaviours, careless, accidental or unfortunately intentional acts. But as climate change brings more frequent periods of hot, dry weather, the conditions for wildfires are becoming more dangerous, increasing their scale and intensity.” He added: “Hot, dry weather and drought are turning parts of the UK into tinderbox landscapes, allowing fires to spread faster, burn longer and place greater pressure on fire and rescue services.”
Government response
Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a meeting of the Government’s emergency Cobra committee yesterday in response to the ongoing hot and dry conditions. Burnham said there had been a “significant number of excess deaths from heat this summer already” and urged the public to follow official health advice, including checking in on elderly friends and relatives during the extreme heat.
In light of the wildfire risk, most major UK supermarkets have already stopped selling disposable barbecues in recent weeks, in line with voluntary guidance issued by the NFCC. Burnham has called on all remaining retailers to follow suit, and indicated that an outright ban on the sale of disposable barbecues could be considered ahead of future summers should the current approach prove insufficient.
This article touches on rising heat-related deaths. If you are concerned about the health of an elderly or vulnerable relative or neighbour during the current heatwave, guidance on staying safe in extreme heat is available from the UK Health Security Agency and the NHS.
