Met Office urges UK households to switch off 4 appliances

The Met Office has issued the advice amid an amber weather warning for extreme heat covering much of southern England and Wales, lasting from 1am on Monday to 11.59pm on Tuesday.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s, with the risk of overnight heat remaining above 20°C and only limited cooling after dark.

Amber weather warning UPDATED

Extreme heat across parts of England and Wales

Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 June

Latest info https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs

Stay #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/qjNu88R6uB

— Met Office (@metoffice) June 20, 2026

The Met Office said: “Following very warm weather on Sunday, very high temperatures are expected on Monday and Tuesday and will likely bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure.

“In addition to high daytime maxima, temperatures overnight will remain very warm, especially in larger urban areas, and it will also feel humid.

“The very high temperatures may continue across a smaller area into the middle of the week, but there remains some uncertainty regarding the extent of this.

“There is an increased chance that some heat-sensitive systems and equipment may fail, leading to power cuts and the loss of other services to some homes and businesses.

“Switch off appliances – turn off items such as irons, ovens, electric fires and fryers as they could pose a hazard if the power comes back on when you are not there.”

Although power outages are more commonly linked to thunderstorms, the Met Office said the “extreme” temperatures could cause equipment and infrastructure to fail, leaving properties without electricity.

The Met Office also recommends keeping mobile phones fully charged in advance and checking on elderly neighbours to ensure they are prepared.

Fridges and freezers should be kept closed and covered with a blanket, as they will remain cold for several hours without power.

The Met Office also encourages vulnerable residents to sign up for the Priority Services Register, a free service offered by utility companies for older people, disabled people, or those reliant on electricity for medical or mobility equipment.

Temperatures are expected to be significantly higher than last week in many parts of the country, including the Midlands, northern England, and Scotland.

The Met Office advises that anyone who relies on electricity to power healthcare equipment should have a plan in place to manage during an outage.

They should confirm with care providers, clinical teams, or equipment suppliers that they understand how to use equipment safely and what steps to take if power is lost.

Are you looking forward to the heatwave or dreading it? Let us know in the comments