England is preparing for another spell of dangerous heat, with the Met Office issuing a rare amber warning for extreme temperatures across parts of the country on Thursday. Temperatures could climb as high as 38C in some areas, adding to growing concerns over public health, wildfires and worsening water shortages.
The latest heatwave is the fifth to hit the UK this summer. The hottest conditions are expected across southern and eastern England and parts of the Midlands, with temperatures forecast to rise sharply on Thursday. The Met Office has warned that the heat could have significant impacts, particularly on vulnerable people and communities.
The extreme heat comes as England faces an increasingly serious drought. Around 71.3% of the country is now officially in drought, according to the latest assessment, putting additional pressure on rivers, reservoirs, groundwater and agriculture. Reservoir storage across England has fallen to around 69% of the long-term average, while several reservoirs are at exceptionally low levels.
The situation has been worsened by an exceptionally dry summer. The Met Office reported that July 2026 was the driest July on record for England and Wales, while southern England received just 1.9mm of rainfall — only around 3% of its long-term average for the month.
The prolonged dry weather is also increasing the risk of wildfires. Firefighters have already dealt with hundreds of incidents this summer, with dry vegetation and strong winds making fires harder to contain. A major blaze in the New Forest has highlighted the growing danger facing rural and woodland areas.
Water companies are also under mounting pressure as demand rises and supplies decline. Millions of people are already affected by water restrictions, while farmers are dealing with increasingly dry soil and reduced water availability.
The government is treating the situation as a growing national concern, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham expected to chair an emergency meeting focused on extreme heat, drought and wildfires. Officials are considering measures to protect water supplies and communities as the hot and dry conditions continue.
Forecasters expect temperatures to ease gradually after Thursday, but the wider drought crisis is unlikely to disappear quickly. With rainfall still limited and water resources under pressure, England faces a difficult end to the summer.
