The United Kingdom is preparing for a fourth heatwave of the summer as temperatures are expected to rise again across England and parts of Wales. Following a brief respite of cooler weather and scattered rainfalls over the weekend, forecasters predict that maximum temperatures could climb to as high as 35°C (95°F) in some southern areas. The heatwave is anticipated to affect much of southern and eastern England between July 28 and July 31.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts for multiple regions, including the East and West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber, effective from 9:00 BST on July 28 until 9:00 BST on July 31. The agency warned of potential significant impacts on health and social care services, citing risks such as an increase in heat-related deaths, particularly among the elderly and vulnerable populations, as well as a rise in drowning incidents.

Despite the recent cooler conditions and some rainfall in northern parts of the UK, meteorologists say that those areas—including Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern England—will largely avoid the highest temperatures associated with this heatwave. The Met Office anticipates a "north-south split" in weather patterns, with warmth intensifying mainly in the south and southeast.

This heatwave follows several earlier periods of intense heat this summer. For instance, Exeter experienced its third heatwave of the year and recently ended a 21-day stretch meeting heatwave conditions, an unusually prolonged period according to the Met Office. Nonetheless, the relief from the heat in such locations is expected to be temporary, as high pressure builds over the southern UK next week, likely stalling rain-bearing systems and prolonging dry conditions.

The ongoing heat and dryness have heightened the risk of wildfires, low water levels, and drought across much of England. Southern England has experienced extremely low rainfall, receiving only about 1% of its average July precipitation, with the broader UK recording roughly 20% of normal rainfall so far this month. The Met Office and environmental agencies have highlighted "exceptionally severe" fire risks in parts of East, South East, and South England, particularly in the days following the weekend. While some risk abated temporarily, it is expected to return midweek as high temperatures persist.

July provisional data from the Met Office indicates that average temperatures across the UK are around 3°C above historical norms, potentially placing this July among the hottest on record. Meteorologists emphasize that the persistence and intensity of these extreme heat events are consistent with trends linked to human-induced climate change.

Although the peak of this heatwave is forecast to be brief, with temperatures cooling toward average levels by the weekend, experts continue to advise caution due to health and environmental dangers associated with sustained high temperatures and dry conditions.