UK weather: Parts of country braced for another heatwave as temperatures could soar to 30C

Parts of the UK are braced for another potential heatwave - with temperatures in some areas expected to soar to 30C over the weekend.

Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for multiple regions across England, warning that health and social care services are likely to be affected.

The alerts - issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) - cover East Midlands, West Midlands, London, the east, southeast and southwest of the country from 12pm this Saturday until 8pm on Saturday 11 July.

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The UKHSA said the high temperatures will likely lead to an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and poses a "greater risk to life" for that group.

The agency is also warning of a potential rise in water-related incidents, including risks from cold water shock and drowning.

It comes after a record-breaking heatwave last week, which led to rare red alerts from the Met Office.

Sky News weather producer Kirsty McCabe said: "I think the key difference between this hot spell of weather and last week will be the humidity level.

"While things are getting hotter and we're likely to meet the heatwave criteria - three days in a row above the heatwave threshold temperature - this hot spell won't be as unbearable.

"And it won't be as widespread either, with cooler, cloudier and wetter conditions for northern parts of the UK - mainly for Scotland that won't see an improvement until the middle of next week."

She added: "Last month we were under a heat dome, a persistent area of high pressure that was over much of Europe, with very hot air dragged up from North Africa.

"This time round we have high pressure that has extended from the Azores and westerly winds, so temperatures won't be as extreme.

"And although the humidity will creep up, it won't reach those oppressive levels so the nights won't be as uncomfortable for sleeping.

"So, we're looking at more typical summer weather and maximum temperatures close to or just above 30C."

At least seven people died in water-related incidents during last month's heatwave, following on from 15 in May.

Ms McCabe said the UKHSA alerts are aimed at healthcare professionals - not members of the public - but are useful to "get a heads up", especially for those who struggle with hot weather.

She added: "At the moment there are yellow-level heat health alerts for south and eastern parts of England. Last month there were widespread amber-level heat alerts.

"More significantly, the UK Met Office issued red and amber extreme heat warnings, and this was only the second time a red extreme heat warning had been issued.

"The first time there was a red extreme heat warning in place for three consecutive days. To be fair, extreme heat warnings have only been around since 2021."

The UK set a provisional June temperature record of 37.7C last Friday in Lingwood in Norfolk, the Met Office said, topping the previous UK June record of 35.6C from 1976 by more than 2C.

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In response to the recent hot weather, a hosepipe ban is to be implemented across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from 10 July.

Southern Water said the restriction is being put in place after the warmest spring on record for England and Wales, and the subsequent record-breaking heatwave, left river levels 25% lower than expected for this time of year.

The firm said the River Test had lost a third of its water within the last month.

Southern Water said: "We'll remove the hosepipe ban as soon as we can, but this can only happen when there's enough water in our reservoirs, rivers and underground aquifers to meet demand."

Meanwhile, millions of Americans are facing dangerous heat and humidity going into the Fourth of July holiday.

As the US celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain, cities such as Chicago, Detroit, New York and Boston have hit 100F (37.8C) in recent days.

The National Weather Service has warned that the extreme heat will continue across much of central and eastern US throughout Friday and along the east coast through the weekend.

(c) Sky News 2026: UK weather: Parts of country braced for another heatwave as temperatures could soar to 30C