UK Braces for Extreme Heat: Met office declares red weather warning

The United Kingdom met office on Wednesday, July 24, 2026, declares a Red weather warning as the country braces for extreme heat that may also lead to transport delay.

The warning will be effected from Thursday 21:00 British Standard Time, reports BBC.

It covers parts of southern England, as well as the Midlands and south Wales, with people in those areas warned there is a risk of serious illness or danger to life.

It’s the Met Office’s most severe level of alert and means there could be a risk to life as well as transport delays.

An amber warning for heat is already in place for much of the rest of England and Wales.

Temperatures are forecast to hit 37 degree Celsius or 38 degree Celsius in southern England, and a maximum of 39C on Wednesday is not out of the question.

Meanwhile in France, at least 40 people drowned over recent days as they sought to cool down to escape record heat in the country.

French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirms the number on Tuesday during a heatwave sweeping across much of Europe.