From 11am on Monday 22 June, every region of England enters a heat-health alert. UKHSA confirmed the move today. Amber alerts now cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, and London. A yellow alert covers the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber. Both run until 11.59pm on Wednesday 24 June.
What the Alert Means
UKHSA and the Met Office run a joint Weather-Health alerting system. An amber alert warns of likely impacts: more people using healthcare services, and higher health risk for anyone over 65 or living with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. A yellow alert signals a lower but still real risk, mainly affecting the same groups, with less expected pressure on health and social care services.
UKHSA wants people to check on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbours this week. The agency also urges everyone to follow basic safety advice during the alert period.
The Second Amber Alert of the Year
This is UKHSA’s second amber heat-health alert in 2026. The first arrived in late May, covering the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East, and London. This week’s alert goes further. For the first time this year, every region of England sits under some level of heat-health alert at once.
UKHSA flagged this pattern early. Back in May, the agency told health and social care services to prepare for more alerts as summer temperatures climbed. That warning is now playing out at national scale.
Who Is Most at Risk
Two groups face the highest risk: people over 65, and anyone with pre-existing health conditions, especially respiratory or cardiovascular disease. Care homes, hospitals, and social care providers typically activate their own heat response plans once an amber alert lands. Local authorities also begin checking on residents flagged as vulnerable.
UKHSA’s Dr Anya Gopfert has stressed that even moderate heat can cause serious problems for these groups. That’s why the alert system triggers institutional action, not just public awareness.
Staying Safe
UKHSA recommends the following during amber-level heat:
- Keep your home cool. Close windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun.
- Avoid peak sun hours. Stay out of direct sun between 11am and 3pm.
- Cover up outdoors. Wear a hat, apply sunscreen, and seek shade when you can.
- Time your activity. Save exercise or dog-walking for cooler parts of the day.
- Know the warning signs. Learn to spot heat exhaustion and heatstroke in yourself and others.
Check the UKHSA data dashboard for live alert status and updates through the week.
Key Source
- UK Health Security Agency – UKHSA Issues Amber and Yellow Heat-Health Alerts Across England
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