Millions face hosepipe bans as UK heatwave reaches 34.7C

More than seven million people had hosepipe bans imposed on them as temperatures soared in the UK’s third heatwave of 2025.

Astwood Bank in the West Midlands recorded the highest temperature of 34.7C by 18:00 BST on Friday, while Wales saw its hottest day of the year with 32.7C recorded in Usk.

Amber heat health alerts for southern England, the Midlands, and East Anglia were issued on Friday and will remain in place until Monday, the UK Health Security Agency said.

Less severe yellow warnings remain in place for northern England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland face warnings of wildfires on Saturday and Sunday.

Yellow weather alerts are issued during periods that are only likely to affect those who are particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly, and those with existing health conditions. Amber alerts are issued in situations that could put the whole population at risk.

Yorkshire Water’s hosepipe ban came into effect on Friday, affecting customers across much of Yorkshire, parts of north Lincolnshire, and areas of Derbyshire.

South East Water, which has also introduced a hosepipe ban, said demand for drinking water had “reached record levels” since May due to the extended spell of warm and dry weather in the region.

It added that it was continuing to monitor the situation in its Western region, where it serves customers in parts of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.

A hosepipe ban could include restrictions on certain activities like watering gardens, washing cars, or filling up paddling pools, and people who break the ban could face a fine.

The weather alert service warns the public in England when high or low temperatures could damage their health or lead to disruption to critical public services.

Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival and London’s Wireless Festival warned festival-goers to stay hydrated and wear sun cream, while Oasis has told fans to “prepare for extreme sun and heat” at their Heaton Park gigs in Manchester on Friday and Saturday.

NHS urgent care doctor Lorna Powell told the BBC that people with existing health conditions were more likely to suffer during a heatwave.

She said when someone has a health condition like a weak heart, kidney problems, or diabetes, an “extra load such as extreme heat can just deplete the body to the extent it can’t control that condition anymore”.

The NHS has advised that during a heatwave, people should keep out of the heat where possible, stay in the shade when outside, have cold food and drinks, wear light clothes, and close windows during the day and open them at night.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued an extreme wildfire warning on Friday covering central and eastern Scotland, which will be extended to “all areas, except low-lying areas with green grass” from Saturday to Monday.

Leigh Hamilton, a ranger service manager at Loch Lomond National Park Authority, advised people to “avoid naked flames including disposable barbecues, dispose of waste properly, and call 999 immediately if you witness a wildfire”.

In Northern Ireland, the Natural Hazards Partnership issued an amber warning, which indicates a likelihood of difficult-to-control wildfires, for Saturday and Sunday.

Seventy firefighters tackled a grass fire on Wanstead Flats in north-east London on Friday.

London Fire Brigade said it has responded to 24 wildfires so far in 2025, four of which took place this week.

“As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly,” a spokesperson for the service warned. They urged people to “act responsibly to prevent fires from occurring”.

By 18:00 BST, Scotland’s highest recorded temperature was 28.9C in Aboyne, west of Aberdeen, while Magilligan in Northern Ireland experienced highs of 28.1C.

The heat will continue into Saturday, when temperature could reach 31C in parts of central and north-east Scotland, which would make it the hottest day of the year so far north of the border.

Sunday is set to be cooler as a north-easterly breeze sets in, though temperatures will still be in the high twenties and low thirties for many.

There is also a chance of a few showers across some eastern areas of England.

The heatwave will be over for most on Monday as cooler Atlantic air spreads, bringing cloud and some showers to northern and western areas.

The heat spreading across the UK marks the third official heatwave of 2025 already.

Scientists warn that extreme weather conditions are made more likely as a result of manmade climate change.

Additional reporting by Anna Lamche and Malu Cursino