Last month was the hottest June on record for England, the Met Office said. A provisional mean temperature of 17.1C was recorded, surpassing the previous record set in 2025 and nearly 3C above the long-term average.

The forecaster said "exceptionally warm overnight temperatures" during the latest heatwave helped to "drive the highest average minimum temperatures on record for the UK, England and Wales". For the UK, June 2026 provisionally ranks as the second-warmest June on record, behind only June 2023.

Wales recorded its second-warmest June, while Scotland and Northern Ireland both saw their joint fourth-warmest June since 1884.

Met Office Scientist Dr Emily Carlisle said: "June’s high temperatures are part of a broader pattern of warmth during 2026.

"So far, five of the first six months of the year have recorded mean temperatures at least 1C above average, with only January seeing below-average temperatures."

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the alert for the East Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West from 12pm on July 4 until 5pm on July 8.

This means an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, a greater risk to the lives of vulnerable people, and an increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm.

The Met Office forecast for the weekend predicts "fine and dry" weather further south, with "temperatures gradually rising under the spells of strong sunshine".

Looking ahead to next week, it adds that "dry and warm conditions with plenty of sunshine for most" are expected.

Tony Wisson, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, said: "Toward the weekend, high pressure will continue to build in across most of the UK as it extends from the Azores.

"The forecast for this weekend suggests that temperatures could approach high 20sC across parts of England, perhaps 30C in parts of the southeast, with values of mid to high 20sC in Wales.