Overview

• UK Health Security Agency has extended yellow heat-health alerts across large swathes of England—including London, the Midlands and the South East—until 6pm on August 18
• Met Office yellow thunderstorm warnings warn of heavy rain, hail and gusty winds with up to 70mm in two hours in parts of north-east Scotland and 50mm in eastern Northern Ireland, risking flash floods and travel disruption
• The National Drought Group met as five English regions remain officially in drought and six more are classed under prolonged dry-weather status, triggering coordinated water-management responses
• London recorded a confirmed 'high' ozone pollution alert earlier this week, prompting City Hall to urge drivers to avoid idling and residents to stop burning garden waste to shield vulnerable groups
• Forecasters caution that a resurgence of high pressure this weekend could drive temperatures back above 30°C, raising the prospect of a fifth summer heatwave