Met Office warns of 35C heat and tropical nights as amber warning expands across parts of England and Wales

The Met Office has expanded its amber extreme heat warning across parts of England and Wales as forecasters say temperatures could climb to about 35C early next week.

The warning was first reported on June 18 and June 19 for parts of southern England and south-east Wales. Latest reporting says the alert has now widened to include eastern Wales and much of the Midlands.

The UK Health Security Agency has also issued heat-health alerts alongside the Met Office warning, highlighting the risk to older adults, people with underlying conditions and services already under strain.

What forecasters are expecting

The hottest weather is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday in some areas. Forecasters say the peak could bring temperatures near 35C, with high humidity making conditions feel even more oppressive.

Some urban areas may also see overnight temperatures stay above 20C. Those warm nights are often described as tropical nights, and they can make it harder for people to recover from daytime heat.

The Met Office has also flagged isolated thundery showers, but the main concern remains the length of the hot spell rather than short-lived storms.

Why the warning matters

The Met Office uses extreme-heat warnings to signal likely impacts on health and public services, not just discomfort. In this case, officials are warning about the pressure prolonged heat can place on health and social-care services.

That risk rises when daytime heat is followed by warm nights. When temperatures do not fall much after dark, people can struggle to sleep, cool down and recover between hot days.

What is still uncertain

There is still some uncertainty over whether any location will actually reach 35C. Reporters have said the UK could challenge the June temperature record of 35.6C, but that mark has not yet been confirmed as broken.

The other key question is whether the amber warning will be widened again or extended beyond Tuesday. The UKHSA may also update its health alert coverage before the peak heat arrives.

For now, the key development is the expansion of the warning and the stronger forecast for early next week. The most intense heat is still expected to come after the latest update.