Heat health alert issued for the South East
The yellow heat health alert is in effect from 12PM on 04/07/2026 until 5PM on 08/07/2026 across the South East. The yellow alert has a matrix score of 7. This means:
Minor impacts are likely across health and social care services, including:
- increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people
- greater risk to life of vulnerable people
- increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm
- water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning
You can see all the weather health alerts currently in place across England on the UKHSA data dashboard.
How to take action if you have a duty to respond
Please review the Weather Health Alert System user guidance to explain how you can use the information contained within the alerts to respond to the forecast weather.
We provide guidance on how to take action for a range of professional groups with a duty to respond, with action cards available for commissioners, health and social care providers, voluntary and community sector, and national government.
Summary action cards are also available below:
· voluntary and community sector
Cool Spaces in Southampton
If you have a cool space – download and Print out this poster and tape on the door: Stay Cool
Warm Welcome UK is now displaying cool spaces too.: Cool Spaces Guidance | Warm Welcome Blog
What makes a Cool Space
A Cool Space is simply a welcoming place where people can cool down and feel comfortable during hot weather at no cost. Cool Spaces help people stay safe and connected during periods of hot weather, particularly those most affected by heat in their homes or local environment.
There are lots of different ways you can support this, it doesn’t need to be complicated or require big changes. Existing Warm Spaces can change their listing by putting up the poster above or link below:
You can download a sign here. (see sample of poster above)
Don’t forget to tick the Cool Space symbol on the Warm Welcome map too!
Below are some useful tips from Warm Welcome:
1. Be cooler and more comfortable than the outside or overheated homes
Practical tips: Keep blinds/curtains closed on sunny sides. Open windows at cooler times but keep blinds closed during peak heat. Open windows early morning and evening. Cross-ventilate where possible. Use fans strategically near airflow paths.
Create shaded outdoor waiting/seating areas. Turn off unnecessary heat-producing equipment. Move seating away from windows. Use cooler downstairs rooms if available. Adjust activities if the space becomes too warm.
If budget allows: Portable AC units. Evaporative coolers. Reflective window film (most DIY and home improvement retailers stock). Temporary shade sails.
2. Keep free water available and clearly visible
Practical tips: Free water station at entrance. Jugs of tap water available all day. Refillable bottle point. Cold drinks and ice where possible. Visible signage encouraging hydration, framing it positively: “Please help yourself to water and take a rest.”
If budget allows: Ice lollies or cold fruit.
3. Provide places to sit or rest
Practical tips: Quiet seating corners. Comfortable chairs with spacing. Slower-paced environment. Phone charging points. Reading areas. Calm and darker lighting if possible.
Think: “Can someone safely spend two hours here during the hottest part of the day?”
4. Adjust opening hours
If you can, keep open during the hottest parts of the day. Heat risk is highest between 11am and 4pm, with temperatures often peaking in the mid to late afternoon (around 3-4pm).
5. Share simple heat safety guidance with staff and volunteers
Share a few key points with staff and volunteers, either as a short briefing or a simple printed note they can refer to.
Practical tips: Offering water proactively. Checking in with isolated visitors. If budget allows: Purchase sunscreen to give out (bulk buy from In-Kind Direct).
6. Display a “heat-ready checklist” for staff and volunteers
A simple checklist can help everyone prepare the Space and keep it comfortable during hot weather.
Example:
Before opening:
– Close blinds on sunny sides
– Set up a visible water station
– Check fans or ventilation where available
– Prepare cooler seating areas
– Put out any signage
During the day:
– Keep water topped up
– Check the temperature of different rooms
– Be aware of anyone who may be struggling in the heat
If someone becomes unwell in the heat:
• Cool them down and offer water
• If they don’t improve, call NHS 111
• In an emergency, call 999
Additional resources
- Existing Warm Spaces can change their listing – there is a how to attached.
- Places that are new cool spaces can register themselves with Warm Welcome.
- Visit: Cool Spaces Guidance | Warm Welcome Blog for your local cool space.
· care homes and other residential settings
· services delivering care to people in their homes
· hospitals and other healthcare settings
For an overview of the weather alerts in place across England, please check the UKHSA data dashboard.
The Met Office may issue National Severe Weather Warnings (for example, extreme heat) with short notice, so you can take appropriate action. Check the Met Office Website to see the National Severe Weather Warnings currently in place.
You can also find information of the latest weather forecast on the Met Office website.
How to protect yourself if you are vulnerable
While exposure to hot weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly at risk. We have published guidance on staying safe during hot weather.
Planning for adverse weather
All organisations should read the Adverse Weather and Health Plan. This is important if you provide health and social care. The plan explains what you should do before and while a heat health alert is in place.
To support local planning, please check the guidance on local resilience forums.
About heat health alerts
Chief executives of the following organisations in England receive heat health alerts:
· health trust providers of NHS commissioned care
· local authorities
· social care organisations
The Heat-Health Alert Service in England runs from 1 June to 30 September each year, in partnership with the Met Office. This is the period when high temperatures are likely to occur.
If we observe high temperatures outside of this period, we will issue an extraordinary heat health alert. If this happens, stakeholders should take the usual public health actions.
You can share this email with your organisation or sign up to receive alerts using our registration form. We have a separate form if you would like to update your registration details.
Please let us know if you have a question or have a problem with your subscription. You can also unsubscribe from this service.
UKHSA and the Met Office use the Risk Matrix to assign a risk score for each alert. Users can refer the alert’s risk score to the matrix to understand the severity of the alert and likelihood of its impact.
| Very low impacts | Low impacts | Medium impacts | High impacts | |
| High likelihood | 4 (green) |
8 (yellow) |
13 (amber) |
16 (red) |
| Medium likelihood | 3 (green) |
7 (yellow) |
12 (amber) |
15 (amber) |
| Low likelihood | 2 (green) |
6 (green) |
10 (yellow) |
14 (amber) |
| Very low likelihood | 1 (green) |
5 (green) |
9 (yellow) |
11 (yellow) |
Updates to heat health alerts
UKHSA and the Met Office make daily risk assessments. We will issue a new alert should the alert level change.
Further Advice and guidance
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