Amber heat health alert for Barnet as temperatures forecast to hit 35C

Barnet residents are among those who will be affected by an amber heat health alert coming into force on Wednesday, as the UK Health Security Agency warns of significant impacts on health and social care services. The alert, covering London, the East Midlands, East of England and the south-east, will be active from 09:00 BST on 29 July until 09:00 BST on 30 July, according to the BBC.

Temperatures in the hottest parts of the region are expected to climb to 35C on Wednesday, marking the peak of a short but intense heatwave. The UK Health Security Agency has stated that the high temperatures are likely to cause a rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with pre-existing health conditions.

Brief heat spike followed by cooler air

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The heatwave is expected to be short-lived. A weather front moving through on Thursday will bring fresher air, with temperatures dropping by around 5–8C compared with Wednesday's peak. Humidity will also fall, making conditions more comfortable for sleeping. Despite the cooldown, temperatures will remain well above average, sitting in the mid- to high 20s Celsius into the weekend.

Drought conditions deepen across England

The hot weather comes alongside a severe lack of rainfall. According to the Met Office, rainfall in England this month has reached just 4.4mm, one of the lowest totals on record, tied with June 1925 and behind only February 1891 when 3.3mm were recorded. The dry ground and low soil moisture levels are expected to worsen as the heat persists.

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The ongoing drought has led to hosepipe bans being imposed for millions of households across England. Dry vegetation has also provided fuel for wildfires, which have burned in several areas. In Wales, where drought was triggered in parts last week, July 2026 is currently the fourth driest month since records began.

What happens next? The amber alert will end on Thursday morning, but the UK Health Security Agency has warned that yellow heat health alerts remain in place for other regions, including the south-west, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber. While rain is forecast for Northern Ireland, Scotland and the far north of England, the southern half of the UK, including Barnet, is expected to remain dry through the weekend, with pressure building and prolonging the dry spell.