UK heatwave live: Met Office issues extreme heat warning as government convenes emergency Cobra meeting

Published August 12, 2026 · Category: News

Overview

Parts of country face fifth heatwave of the summer with highs of 38C forecast this week

Parts of the UK will face the fifth heatwave of the summer this week with temperatures forecast to reach highs of 38C, prompting the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning for extreme heat.

Details

The record-shattering heatwave has caused wildfires and drought in many parts of the country, with this summer on course to be the UK’s hottest since records began, according to the Met Office. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August alone. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary, Steve Wright, told Times Radio the country faces a national emergency “right now”, with wildfires seen “all across” the UK.

Source

Originally published at www.theguardian.com.

Related Articles

• Chelsea sign Chavarria in £16m deal - who is the left-back?
• Japanese ambassador to Australia downplays Albanese melon gaffe as Taylor claims PM has ‘stuffed up’
• Probation chief says he’s ‘not fully confident’ service will cope with early prisoner releases – UK politics live