15 June 2026
With the UKHSA issuing a new heat health alert for London, the South East, East England and the East Midlands from 3pm Wednesday (17 June) to Sunday evening (22 June), University of Reading weather and climate experts provide expert comment.
Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, professor of meteorology and Head of the School of Mathematical, Computational and Physical Sciences, University of Reading, said:
“It’s perhaps a sign of how much our perception of hot weather has shifted that 27 or 28 degrees for south east England no longer feels particularly warm.
“In Reading, less than 1 in 10 June days are typically as warm as this since 2001. That’s partly because the likelihood of similar temperatures has approximately doubled since the latter decades of the 20th century.
“We know there can be significant impacts of hot weather for those who have pre-existing conditions that make them particularly vulnerable, so I would encourage people to pay attention to the UKHSA warnings and take action to prepare themselves and others.”
Regius Professor Hannah Cloke, Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate Science, University of Reading, said:
“Heatwaves are one of the clearest signs that extreme weather is already changing in a warming climate. Hot weather goes from a risk to a hazard because of our dated infrastructure.
“It is not just the physical infrastructure of buildings, transport networks and water supplies that need updating, but our imagination infrastructure as well. We need to update the stories, warnings and shared understanding of the risks of heat. These all combine to help people picture what these risks really mean for their daily lives, and how we need to adapt at every scale to deal with them.
“If we cannot imagine how heat might affect our homes, our health or our communities, we are less likely to act until it is too late. Science can show us the futures that are coming, but we need imagination to help us prepare for them and ultimately choose to build something safer.”
Dr Akshay Deoras, senior research scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science and Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, said:
“It’s a weather cocktail this week, with sharply contrasting conditions across the UK and western Europe.
“High pressure over Europe will pull in warm, moist air from the southwest, turning the south and east of the UK increasingly sultry. Further north and west, Atlantic low-pressure systems will bring some rain across Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England and Wales. Meanwhile, France, Spain and Portugal will see very hot conditions, with temperatures potentially exceeding 40°C in places.
“This weather pattern is likely to become locked in for at least a week, meaning the warm and humid conditions could persist. It follows on from the record-breaking heatwave in May, which saw both extreme temperatures and a run of hot days, creating a cumulative strain on the body over time.
“Even under a yellow heat health alert, which is classed as low impact, the risk is not low for everyone. Prolonged warmth can place strain on the body, and repeated days of humid weather can lead to cumulative fatigue, particularly for older adults, young children and those with underlying health conditions. Tropical nights may also develop in some southern and eastern areas of the UK towards the weekend, offering little relief overnight.
“It is important to recognise early signs of heat-related illness, which include headaches, dizziness, excessive tiredness, muscle cramps, nausea, and confusion. Simple precautions such as staying well hydrated, keeping living spaces cool, and checking in on vulnerable people can make a significant difference.”
We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2027/28 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2026/27 courses.
