Millions face hosepipe bans as UK heatwave reaches 34.7C

Simon KingLead Climate PresenterGetty ImagesMore than seven million individuals had hosepipe bans imposed on them as temperatures soared within the UK’s third heatwave of 2025.Astwood Financial institution within the West Midlands recorded the very best temperature of 34.7C by 18:00 BST on Friday, whereas Wales noticed its hottest day of the yr with 32.7C recorded in Usk.Amber warmth well being alerts for southern England, the Midlands, and East Anglia have been issued on Friday and can stay in place till Monday, the UK Well being Safety Company stated.Much less extreme yellow warnings stay in place for northern England, whereas Scotland and Northern Eire face warnings of wildfires on Saturday and Sunday.Yellow climate alerts are issued during times which might be solely more likely to have an effect on those that are notably susceptible, such because the aged, and people with current well being situations. Amber alerts are issued in conditions that might put the entire inhabitants in danger.Yorkshire Water’s hosepipe ban got here into impact on Friday, affecting clients throughout a lot of Yorkshire, components of north Lincolnshire, and areas of Derbyshire.South East Water, which has additionally launched a hosepipe ban, stated demand for ingesting water had “reached file ranges” since Could because of the prolonged spell of heat and dry climate within the area.It added that it was persevering with to observe the state of affairs in its Western area, the place it serves clients in components of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.A hosepipe ban may embrace restrictions on sure actions like watering gardens, washing automobiles, or filling up paddling swimming pools, and individuals who break the ban may face a advantageous.The climate alert service warns the general public in England when excessive or low temperatures may injury their well being or result in disruption to crucial public providers.Glasgow’s TRNSMT Competition and London’s Wi-fi Competition warned festival-goers to remain hydrated and put on solar cream, whereas Oasis has instructed followers to “put together for excessive solar and warmth” at their Heaton Park gigs in Manchester on Friday and Saturday.NHS pressing care physician Lorna Powell instructed the BBC that folks with current well being situations have been extra more likely to undergo throughout a heatwave.She stated when somebody has a well being situation like a weak coronary heart, kidney issues, or diabetes, an “additional load equivalent to excessive warmth can simply deplete the physique to the extent it might’t management that situation anymore”.The NHS has suggested that in a heatwave, individuals ought to maintain out of the warmth the place attainable, keep within the shade when exterior, have chilly meals and drinks, put on mild garments, and shut home windows throughout the day and open them at night time.Getty ImagesThe Scottish Fireplace and Rescue Service issued an excessive wildfire warning on Friday protecting central and japanese Scotland, which might be prolonged to “all areas, besides low-lying areas with inexperienced grass” from Saturday to Monday.Leigh Hamilton, a ranger service supervisor at Loch Lomond Nationwide Park Authority, suggested individuals to “keep away from bare flames together with disposable barbecues, get rid of waste correctly, and name 999 instantly when you witness a wildfire”.In Northern Eire, the Pure Hazards Partnership issued an amber warning, which signifies a probability of difficult-to-control wildfires, for Saturday and Sunday.Seventy firefighters tackled a grass hearth on Wanstead Flats in north-east London on Friday.London Fireplace Brigade stated it has responded to 24 wildfires to this point in 2025, 4 of which came about this week. “Because the climate has been so dry, it solely takes a couple of sparks to result in a fireplace spreading quickly,” a spokesperson for the service warned. They urged individuals to “act responsibly to forestall fires from occurring”.PA MediaBy 18:00 BST, Scotland’s highest recorded temperature was 28.9C in Aboyne, west of Aberdeen, whereas Magilligan in Northern Eire skilled highs of 28.1C.The warmth will proceed into Saturday, when temperature may attain 31C in components of central and north-east Scotland, which might make it the most popular day of the yr to this point north of the border.Sunday is about to be cooler as a north-easterly breeze units in, although temperatures will nonetheless be within the excessive twenties and low thirties for a lot of.There’s additionally an opportunity of some showers throughout some japanese areas of England.The heatwave might be over for many on Monday as cooler Atlantic air spreads, bringing cloud and a few showers to northern and western areas.The warmth spreading throughout the UK marks the third official heatwave of 2025 already.Scientists warn that excessive climate situations are made extra probably because of artifical local weather change. Further reporting by Anna Lamche and Malu Cursino