The third UK heatwave of 2025 recorded rising temperatures, which resulted in the banning of hosepipes for more than seven million people. As of 18:00 BST Friday, Astwood Bank in the West Midlands hit the year’s highest temperature at 34.7C, and Usk in Wales hit the year’s warmest day at 32.7C.
The UK Health Security Agency cautioned that amber heat health warnings will remain in place until Monday for the Midlands, East Anglia, and the South of England.
North England remains under less intense yellow alerts, whereas Scotland and Northern Ireland are under wildfire warnings for Saturday and Sunday.
Yellow weather warnings are used when only most susceptible, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, will be affected. When conditions have the potential to put the whole population at risk, amber alerts are given.
Customers in much of Yorkshire, areas of North Lincolnshire, and areas of Derbyshire were affected by Yorkshire Water’s hosepipe ban, which came into effect on Friday.
Because of the extended spell of hot and dry conditions in the region, South East Water, which has also introduced a hosepipe ban, reported that the consumption of drinking water has “reached record levels” since May.
It also said that it was still monitoring the situation in its Western area, covering parts of Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire.
A hosepipe ban would ban specific activities, like filling paddling pools, washing cars, or watering plants, and offenders could be fined.
In England, the weather warnings service informs the public when temperature extremes can put their health at risk or make essential public services break down.
On Friday, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service posters severe wildfire warning for central and western Scotland. For Saturday to Monday, the alert will be extended to ,”all areas, except low-lying areas with green grass.”
Members of the public were advised to stay away from baked flames such as disposable barbecues, dispose of rubbish properly, and ring 999 straight away if you see a wildfire by Leigh Hamilton, ranger service manager for Loch Lomond National Park Authority.
The Natural Hazards Partnership in Northern Ireland had issued an amber warning on Saturday and Sunday, meaning there was a risk of uncontrollable wildfires.
On Friday, seventy firefighters extinguished a grass fire in north-east London’s Wanstead Flats. Four of the 24 wildfires the London Fire Brigade has responded to in 2025 have happened this week, it says.
The UK is its third official heatwave of 2025. Scientists warn that human-induced climate change makes extreme weather more likely to happen.
