Amber heat health alerts are to come into force as the UK braces for the fifth heatwave of the year, with almost three-quarters of England in drought.
On Tuesday, highs of 29C in Cardiff, 28C in Manchester and 25C in London are forecast before temperatures soar to the mid-30s in some areas on Thursday, according to the Met Office.
Some 45 million people have been plunged into drought conditions as dry and hot weather continues to blight large swathes of England and Wales.
The National Drought Group determined that 71.3 per cent of England is now experiencing a flash drought, warning on Monday that conditions will get worse without "significant and sustained rainfall".
Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 30C on Tuesday, before climbing through the week and reaching peaks of 36C in East Anglia and the South East by Thursday.
England and Wales recorded their driest July in records dating back to 1836, with 19 counties of England seeing no rain for the entire month, provisional statistics have shown.
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Key Points
- ‘Drought conditions are worsening and will continue to do so’
- Almost three-quarters of England is now in drought
- Situation facing farmers and growers 'increasingly concerning’
- Mapped: Where is in drought?
- 45m people in England living in drought-stricken areas
New Forest fire likely to continue for 'some time to come'
10:00 , Holly EvansA deputy chief fire officer said firefighters are likely to be battling the New Forest fire “for some time to come”.
Shantha Dickinson, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, said it had been a “very challenging few months so far for wildfires”, adding that tackling them was “incredibly resource-intensive”.
Discussing the New Forest fire, Ms Dickinson told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Our firefighters and all of our emergency responders have been working in incredibly difficult conditions actually for the last 36 hours since the event started on Sunday evening due to a van fire.
“And we’re likely to be there for some time to come.”
She added: “We’re battling hard to get it under control.
“It currently covers an area of about a kilometre square. So just to put that into perspective, that’s about 140 football fields, so rolling heathland of beautiful countryside.”
When will the heat ease?
09:39 , Holly EvansWith a fifth heatwave fast approaching, many are questioning how much longer will the high temperatures last.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster David Oliver said: “While Thursday will be the peak of the heat this week, some warmth will remain in the south and southeast on Friday, before easing more widely on Saturday as cooler air spreads south from the northwest.”
The forecaster added that high pressure is likely to retain some influence over the weather in the south of the UK later in the weekend but may begin to weaken into the start of next week.
Details are uncertain, but this may allow showers or some longer spells of rain to spread across parts of the UK for a time.
Mapped: Where drought has been declared in the UK
09:14 , Holly EvansAlmost three-quarters of England is now suffering from drought as weather conditions continue to worsen into August, piling pressure onto vital industries.
Officials from the National Drought Group assessed on Monday that 71.3 per cent of the country is now in drought, with the addition of the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs bringing the number of people affected up to 45 million nationwide.
The North East and Yorkshire have moved to prolonged dry weather – the stage before drought – with nowhere now deemed in normal status, and 27 million people are currently living under restrictions on water use, they said.
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Mapped: Where drought has been declared in the UK as another heatwave looms
Breaking: Heat health alerts come into force
09:00 , Holly EvansAs of 9am, heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are in place across England until Friday evening.
Amber heat health alerts have been issued for most of England including the Midlands, South East, North West and South West, while a yellow alert will be in force for the North East.
What is the five-day weather forecast?
08:38 , Holly EvansHere’s a look at the five day weather forecast:
Today:
A dry and sunny day for most with light winds. Cloudier in northwest Scotland and western parts of Northern Ireland with some outbreaks of light rain. Very warm in the sunshine.
Tonight:
Outbreaks of rain will continue in the far northwest, but a drier night elsewhere with clear skies. Staying mild perhaps with a few mist patches.
Wednesday:
Cloudy in western Scotland and western parts of Northern Ireland with showers, turning heavy at times. A dry and sunny day elsewhere with hot sunshine.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Turning hotter through the next few days with extreme heat possible in parts of England and Wales, particularly on Thursday. Largely dry and sunny, but showers possible in the northwest.
Historic gardens, parks and cemeteries under threat from climate change
08:17 , Holly EvansThe UK’s treasured historic green spaces are under increasing threat from climate extremes, a report warns.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England warn that historic parks, gardens and cemeteries across the country are vulnerable to damage from harsher, more widespread drought, intense rainfall, more severe storms and pests which can thrive in warmer conditions.
These impacts, driven by climate change – which is mostly caused by burning fossil fuels for power plants, cars, heating and industry – are affecting all aspects of these heritage landscapes, from trees and plant collections to paths, terraces and lakes.
The report says historic parks and gardens, including Chiswick House and Gardens, Kew and the Royal Parks, in London, and Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, employ more than 32,000 people and contribute £2.9 billion to the UK economy each year from international visitors alone.
But they are already being hit by increasingly extreme weather caused by climate change, with paths and drainage systems not fit for current conditions, trees lost to drought and high winds, and potential loss of entire groups of plants to diseases affecting box, ash, sweet chestnut and oak.
Firefighters work ‘tirelessly’ to contain New Forest fire
08:01 , Holly EvansFirefighters are beginning a third day of tackling a fire in the New Forest which they say they are “managing to contain” after working “tirelessly” through the night.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, assisted by neighbouring services, initially scrambled 26 fire engines and four water carriers to the eastbound A31 after receiving 160 emergency calls reporting a van had caught fire on Sunday evening.
The fire service said the blaze spread from the vehicle to the central reservation before progressing into nearby heathland in a south-easterly direction towards Backley Bottom, and is in a “challenging rural location”.
An update released on Tuesday by the fire service said that a change in wind direction had “provided a challenge” overnight but it was managing to prevent “spread and escalation” with the help of a police drone to prioritise hotspots and flare-ups.
A total of seven fire engines with water carriers and off-road vehicles were involved in the operation overnight which continued to use water being pumped through miles of pipes laid from a nearby lake as part of a high volume pump (HVP) system.
And the A31 – the main route through the New Forest – remains closed, with National Highways saying that repairs needed to “significant” damage to the road surface, safety barriers and boundary fencing can only start once the fire is safely under control.
Amber heat health alerts come into force across England and Wales
07:40 , Holly EvansHeat health alerts are to come into force as the UK braces for the fifth heatwave of the year, with almost three-quarters of England in drought.
On Tuesday, highs of 29C in Cardiff, 28C in Manchester and 25C in London are forecast before temperatures soar to the mid-30s in some areas on Thursday, according to the Met Office.
From 9am on Tuesday, heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are in place across England until Friday evening.
Officials have urged people to take simple steps to stay safe, such as drinking plenty of water, checking on vulnerable friends and family, and avoiding the sun at the hottest part of the day.
Amber heat health alerts have been issued for most of England including the Midlands, South East, North West and South West, while a yellow alert will be in force for the North East.
Shoppers warned of supermarket price rises ‘within months’ due to extreme heat
07:00 , Dan Haygarth
Shoppers warned of supermarket price rises ‘within months’ due to extreme heat
Faded, dry grass a common sight across England
06:30 , Dan Haygarth
Historic gardens, parks and cemeteries under threat from climate change – report
05:30 , Dan HaygarthThe UK’s treasured historic green spaces are under increasing threat from climate extremes, a report warns.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England warn that historic parks, gardens and cemeteries across the country are vulnerable to damage from harsher, more widespread drought, intense rainfall, more severe storms and pests which can thrive in warmer conditions.
These impacts, driven by climate change – which is mostly caused by burning fossil fuels for power plants, cars, heating and industry – are affecting all aspects of these heritage landscapes, from trees and plant collections to paths, terraces and lakes.
The report says historic parks and gardens, including Chiswick House and Gardens, Kew and the Royal Parks, in London, and Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, employ more than 32,000 people and contribute £2.9 billion to the UK economy each year from international visitors alone.
But they are already being hit by increasingly extreme weather caused by climate change, with paths and drainage systems not fit for current conditions, trees lost to drought and high winds, and potential loss of entire groups of plants to diseases affecting box, ash, sweet chestnut and oak.
Invest in climate defence rather than heed Trump on military spend – Polanski
04:30 , Dan HaygarthThe UK should be investing money in defending the country against the climate crisis rather than listening to Donald Trump on security spending, Zack Polanski has said.
The Green Party leader on Saturday reiterated his view that the climate crisis is “the biggest threat to our national security since the Second World War”.
Appearing at Iain Dale All Talk at the Edinburgh Fringe, he was asked by an audience member whether he and his party agree with increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP when there are “so many competing environmental needs.”
Mr Polanski said that if defence spending includes money for climate adaptation such as dealing with floods and wildfires then we “clearly need to up our spending”.
He suggested that was more important than listening to US President Donald Trump, who has called for Nato allies to shoulder more of the burden of European defence.
Mr Polanski said: “If we’re talking about spending 3.5 per cent of our GDP on military spending to please Donald Trump, then I think there’s an absolute incoherency in that.
“We’re already, I think, one of the fifth biggest spenders on military capacity, and actually, I think we need to look at defence as a much more holistic issue.
“I said this week, and I really believe, that the climate crisis is the biggest threat to our national security since the Second World War.
“It’s not some distant threat – it’s right here, right now. We’ve had wildfires not far away from here, where we’re talking in Edinburgh, and we know that what’s happening right now is not the new normal.
“This is the beginning of what will be the least extreme temperatures and least extreme weather in our lifetimes.
“It is going to get worse and worse and worse. And in many ways, it’s a grim message.
“We can’t stop some of that breakdown, what we can do, though, and it’s important that people hear this, is we can stop total breakdown, and that feels beyond important to do, and that’s where we should be investing right now, not on listening to what Donald Trump says or creating arbitrary numbers of GDP.”
Watch: Shocking scale of New Forest blaze seen in Hampshire fire service drone footage
03:30 , Dan HaygarthRecap: Almost three-quarters of England in drought as conditions worsen in dry August
02:30 , Dan HaygarthAlmost three-quarters of England is in “flash drought” as a dry start to August follows the country’s driest July on record, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.
The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs have become the latest areas to move into drought.
The announcement came after a meeting of officials, water companies and farming leaders under the National Drought Group, which warned that all regions of the country are experiencing pressure on their water resources, with impacts on agriculture, public water supplies and the environment.
Last week, the EA announced that half of England had plunged into flash drought – one which develops very quickly because of a combination of very low rainfall and high temperatures – and the latest announcement means 71.3 per cent of the country is in drought.
The North East and Yorkshire have moved to “prolonged dry weather” status, the stage before drought, and nowhere in England is in “normal” status, the EA said.
The latest drought warnings came as parts of the UK braced for the fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to climb into the mid 30Cs later in the week, peaking at 36C on Thursday.
In pictures: Majority of England in drought
01:30 , Dan Haygarth
What to expect from Tuesday's weather
Tuesday 11 August 2026 00:30 , Dan HaygarthHere's how Tuesday is shaping up weather-wise
— Met Office (@metoffice) August 10, 2026
☔🌤️🌬️🌡️ pic.twitter.com/cpMpDLvhuW
'Water resilience cannot be treated as a seasonal issue'
Monday 10 August 2026 23:30 , Dan HaygarthFran Barnes, chief executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said: “With almost three-quarters of England in ‘flash drought’ and all of Wales now officially in drought, numerous water restrictions and Temporary Use Bans (TUBS) across the UK, and data showing that last month was officially the driest July on record, the pressure on our water resources couldn’t be clearer.
“The solution to the UK’s water challenges lies not just in the amount of rainfall, but in how effectively we capture, store, and manage it. Today we reiterated the need for the UK to take action and implement a long-term water resilience strategy that addresses the realities of a changing climate.
“The current conditions are having a huge impact on our 1,400 members – garden retailers, growers, landscapers, designers, suppliers and manufacturers – despite our sector investing heavily in becoming more water efficient. Growers increasingly capture and recycle rainwater, retailers and landscapers promote drought-tolerant planting and more effective watering, including water butts and efficient irrigation systems suitable for gardeners, not just professional growers. We set out these needs again today at the National Drought Group meeting.
“Our climate may be changing, but our message remains clear: water resilience cannot be treated as a seasonal issue.
Where has been affected by the droughts?
Monday 10 August 2026 23:16 , James ReynoldsOfficials from the National Drought Group assessed on Monday that 71.3 per cent of the country is now in drought, with the addition of the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs bringing the number of people affected up to 45 million nationwide.
The North East and Yorkshire have moved to prolonged dry weather – the stage before drought – with nowhere now deemed in normal status, and 27 million people are currently living under restrictions on water use, they said.
In full: Swimming pools and car washes could be banned as drought declared across most of England
Monday 10 August 2026 22:30 , Daniel HaygarthSwimming pools and car washes are among the UK businesses that could be hit by a water ban as providers look to conserve resources amid drought conditions and an upcoming fifth heatwave.
Southern Water has applied to the government for permission to issue a “non-essential use ban” in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. If granted and put into action, the policy would prevent businesses from activities like washing cars with hosepipes and filling private swimming pools.
It comes as almost three-quarters of England and all of Wales have been plunged into drought.
Read more:
Swimming pools and car washes could be put under water ban
Full story: New Forest may take decades to recover from ‘devastating’ fire as 120 firefighters work into the night battling blaze
Monday 10 August 2026 21:45 , Dan HaygarthRead below:
New Forest may take decades to recover as 120 firefighters tackle fire
Water minister: 'We know how challenging this summer has been'
Monday 10 August 2026 21:30 , Dan HaygarthWater minister Emma Hardy, who attended the National Drought Group, said: “We know how challenging this summer has been, especially for our hard-working farmers who are at the sharp end of climate change and an increasing number of floods and droughts.”
She said the Government was working to make it easier for farmers to build more onsite irrigation reservoirs – something farming leaders have been calling for – and was delivering “long-term change” in the water industry to reduce leaks and deliver nine new reservoirs.
“As we move through this period of drought, I expect water companies to take every available step to minimise leakage and support customers in using water wisely”, she said as she thanked people for abiding by hosepipe bans.
Mapped: Where drought has been declared in the UK as another heatwave looms
Monday 10 August 2026 20:37 , Dan HaygarthAlmost three-quarters of England is now suffering from drought as weather conditions continue to worsen into August, piling pressure onto vital industries.
Officials from the National Drought Group assessed on Monday that 71.3 per cent of the country is now in drought, with the addition of the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs bringing the number of people affected up to 45 million nationwide.
Nowhere in England in 'normal' status
Monday 10 August 2026 20:12 , Dan HaygarthThe North East and Yorkshire have moved to “prolonged dry weather” status, the stage before drought, and nowhere in England is in “normal” status, the Environment Agency said.
The East Midlands, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, Kent and East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs have become the latest areas to move into drought.
