The sun is out, we’re all sweating cobs and it’s the hottest day of 2025.
That’s the message from the Met Office after a health agency issued an amber heat warning, meaning there’s potential for it to be dangerously hot.
A top temperature of 32.2°C was recorded in Kew in London on Thursday, meaning today is officially the hottest day of the year so far.
Basically, it’s hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement, which is great news if you like an al fresco all day breakfast, but not so great if you’re a dog burning your paws on the tarmac.
It may sound great for barbecues, but the UK Health Security Agency is warning that this heat could be dangerous – especially for older people or anyone with existing health issues – and it’s only going to get hotter.
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Suffolk has officially been named the first place in the UK to enter a heatwave, after temperatures passed 27°C for the third day in a row.
The alert, which covers all of England and runs until 9am on Monday, means there’s an increased risk of illness or even death. Temperatures in hospitals and care homes are also on the rise and may soon be above safe levels.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, from the UKHSA, said: ‘The forecasted high temperatures are expected to be short-lived but could primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions.
‘If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.’
How to stay cool
- Close windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
- Wear suitable clothing, seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly if going outside
- Stay out the sun between 11am and 3pm, the hottest time of the day
- Plan outdoor physical activities for cooler times of day like morning and evening
- Drink cold drinks – weird but true: milk might hydrate you better than water, Medichecks’ Dr Natasha Fernando told Metro
Meanwhile, London Fire Brigade is warning people, particularly the young, to resist the urge of cooling off in rivers and lakes.
There’s already been a 15% increase in the number of incidents this year – more than 280 so far – including rescues from strong currents, mud and capsized boats.
Assistant commissioner Pam Oparaocha, said: ‘With warm weather and school holidays on the horizon, we want people, especially young people, to enjoy our waterways safely, and that starts with education.
‘It’s important to know the risks and to familiarise yourself with lifesaving equipment like throwlines, which are available along many of London’s waterways.’
Will there be a heatwave this weekend?
In order for a heatwave to be made official, the Met Office says several conditions must be met.
The peak temperature must exceed a certain level for at least three days in a row, and that level changes depending on where you are in the country.
In north and west parts of the UK, the threshold is 25C, while in Greater London and the Home Counties it’s up at 28C.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson said: ‘Over the next few days, settled weather and warm sunshine will allow temperatures to rise day on day.
‘Temperatures will then rise further towards the end of the week as winds turn more southerly and even warmer air over continental Europe will be drawn across the UK.
‘We could very well see several places exceeding 30ºC, which will be the highest temperatures of the year so far.’
