Heat health amber alerts extended across northern England as NHS warns of sustained pressure

The Met Office has extended amber heat-health alerts to north-west England and Yorkshire on Thursday, the UK health service and transport operators said, as temperatures are forecast to reach 35C and the heatwave is expected to last through Sunday evening.

Alerts now cover almost all of England, with a yellow alert in the north-east, and officials warned the prolonged heat could significantly impact health services and travel until 21:00 BST on Sunday.

NHS England said many ambulance services are under “sustained pressure” due to the heatwave and urged the public, especially children, the elderly and those with existing conditions, to take the heat seriously, urging people to look out for vulnerable individuals.

Transport operators reported disruptions: several c2c services were suspended for two days, East Midlands Railway advised avoiding non-essential travel, and West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway reported early heat-related issues.

South Western Railway, Great Western Railway and Transport for Wales also anticipated disruption, with Transport for Wales implementing a speed restriction between Aberdare and Fernhill until 21:30 because of high track temperatures.

Temperature readings on Thursday included 33.7C in Charlwood, Surrey at 13:00, 28.8C in Wales, 27.7C in Scotland and 24.2C in Northern Ireland, while southern and eastern England remain the hottest areas after parts declared a heatwave following five days at or above 30C.

The National Grid operator Neso requested additional power availability, warning of “tight electricity margins” on Thursday evening due to increased demand and reduced efficiency of energy processes in extreme heat, although it did not indicate a risk of blackouts.

The National Fire Chiefs Council warned that the dry, hot conditions raise the risk of wildfires and advised against using disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks and moorlands.

Officials noted the heat may persist beyond the immediate peak on Thursday and Friday, keeping temperatures well above the July average of 18-23C for up to another week, which could make this one of the UK’s longest heatwaves since 1976.