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UK Met Office issues rare red heat warning for southern England and Wales

newsJun 22, 2026833,362

The UK Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat across parts of southern England and Wales on Wednesday and Thursday, warning temperatures could reach 40°C or higher. The warning covers areas from Kent and Sussex west through Somerset and north to Birmingham and runs from 1:00am Wednesday until 11:00pm Thursday, with forecasters flagging unusually high humidity that raises health risks. Vets and health officials are urging people to protect pets and vulnerable relatives, while councils and event organisers are cancelling outdoor gatherings and advising against non-essential travel into affected areas. Workers' groups are calling for maximum workplace temperature rules as authorities warn the heat could cause power and transport disruption.

Ian Hall
@ianhall.bsky.social

Rare red warning. Risk to life. Stay out of the sun. Avoid unnecessary exposure. Picture editor: "Counterpoint: Run the fun-on-the-beach shots?" We won't improve heat coverage until we stop illustrating public health emergencies with beach photos. www.independent.co.uk/weather/heat...

9664h ago
Zack Polanski
@zackpolanski.bsky.social

This isn't normal. While this government is in chaos, its failure to protect people from extreme heat will cost lives. We need maximum workplace temperatures to protect workers and cool spaces so the vulnerable aren't exposed.

6774h ago
Trans+ Solidarity Alliance
@transsolidarity.bsky.social

Important mass lobby update: With a red weather warning in place for the day, it will not go ahead. We are reaching out to participants with further detail and actions, but please do not travel. We are arranging a future date and will update ❤️ www.transsolidarityalliance.com/post/weather...

2444h ago
Trans+ Solidarity Alliance74

We know this is disappointing, and we are aware of the timing around the end of parliamentary scrutiny of the EHRC code, but there is no way to safely run it with latest forecasts. There are lots of other actions you can take, watch this space. www.transsolidarityalliance.com/post/weather...

Katie Fenn19

Thank you for doing this will still a few days' notice. It can't have been an easy decision.

Alexandra Lanes11

I have been looking at train companies for their refund policies in this weather. This is LNER: www.lner.co.uk/travel-infor... - you can travel earlier on tue/wed/thu or get a full refund.

Kirsty McTear 🏳️‍⚧️8

What the fuck‼️ I have booked time off work. (losing money). Booked my rail tickets from Scotland. Booked a hotel. Hundreds of pounds down the drain 😡

Cora Peeta M 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇦🇶🇺🇳6

I'll boost any meet-ups people now unable to cancel tickets/rooms can attend. We should probably set up a donation fund for anyone out of pocket.

Ruth 🏳️‍🌈4

I came on here looking for an update bc I was expecting this when I saw the update - thank you for looking out for everyone's safety in this! It's a shame bc I actually managed to get time off, but hey. I prefer not dying

minusmoney.co.uk2

I'm sad about this but not surprised. I'll see if I can get my train tickets refunded (I doubt it), and if not, does anybody fancy a day out in London?! Any safe places to have a drink in solidarity (preferably one with air con and/or a beer garden!)

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