An amber heat weather warning is in place for Watford for Sunday as the heatwave across England and Wales continues. 

The Met Office is warning of exceptionally high temperatures that "could lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure".

The amber warning will be in place from midnight on Sunday until 23.59 that evening, affecting numerous locations across England and into parts of Wales.

Here's what to expect from an amber weather warning and how long it is expected to last.


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What to expect from the amber heat warning

An amber warning can mean there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts - and even potential risk to life and property.

The Met Office has warned the public to watch out for the following:

  • Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life. Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice.
  • Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
  • Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to increased risk of water safety incidentshow long it is expected to last
  • Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Sherwin said: “Today and tomorrow (Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th), temperatures are likely to peak at 33C in the southeast, with warm weather likely to continue throughout this week and it looks likely to ramp up late this week and into early next week.  

Ms Sherwin continued: “From Sunday and into Monday, temperatures are likely to be in excess of 35C in the southeast, although the details still remain uncertain. Elsewhere, temperatures could be fairly widely above 32C in England and Wales, and in the mid-to-high 20s Celsius further north.” 

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Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “Heat-health alerts have now been issued to the majority of the country, with temperatures set to remain consistently high throughout the duration of this week. 

“Most of us can enjoy the hot weather when it arrives, but it is important to keep yourself hydrated and to find shade where possible when UV rays are strongest, between 11 am and 3 pm. 

“If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, make sure they are aware of how they can keep themselves protected from the warm weather.’’ 

The areas in London and South East England affected by the amber heat warning

These are the areas in London and South East England that are likely to be affected by the amber heat warning:

  • Bracknell Forest
  • Brighton and Hove
  • Buckinghamshire
  • East Sussex
  • Greater London
  • Hampshire
  • Isle of Wight
  • Kent
  • Medway
  • Milton Keynes
  • Oxfordshire
  • Portsmouth
  • Reading
  • Slough
  • Southampton
  • Surrey
  • West Berkshire
  • West Sussex
  • Windsor and Maidenhead
  • Wokingham

How long will the heatwave last?

The Met Office says that this period of hot weather is expected to continue into the early part of next week.

An update which would extend this warning into Monday is likely, the weather forecaster has predicted.