27 June 2025
With temperatures likely to exceed 30°C in some parts of the UK this weekend and into the early part of next week, The AA is advising drivers to avoid the hottest part of the day and to be well prepared before they head off in their cars.
The Met Office has issued Amber alerts for East Midlands, South East, South West, East Of England and London. Yellow alerts affecting Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands have also been issued. Both alerts start 12pm Fri 27 June, ending 6pm Tues 1 July.
“Carry plenty of water – at least one litre per person travelling. Keeping yourself and other occupants hydrated can help lower body temperatures in hot weather.”
The extreme weather is likely to affect those attending outdoor events like The Championships at Wimbledon, an event supported by The AA.
The UK’s largest motoring organisation* recommends that all travellers have sufficient water – ideally one litre per person – to stay hydrated during the journey. Proper hydration not only helps regulate body temperature in extreme heat but also ensures comfort and safety should a breakdown occur, and assistance is delayed.
On a sunny 27°C day, the inside temperature of a car could reach an oven-like 60°C so it’s important to keep your keys in your pocket if you are placing children or pets into your car. Last summer the AA attended an average of two cases per day where children or pets had been accidentally locked in cars – along with the keys.
Those in older cars not recently serviced, without air conditioning, are advised to consider whether they should be travelling in the affected areas and The AA has highlighted the dangers of tyre blow-outs in extreme temperatures.
Setting off as early in the morning as possible means road surfaces are also likely to be cooler – meaning that your car’s tyres are less likely to reach temperatures high enough for pressures to increase. Leaving early can also reduce the chances of your engine overheating as the air temperature is reduced at this time of the day.
Like oil and coolant levels, you should only check your tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. ‘Cold’ means that the car hasn’t been driven for a couple of hours. The pressure inside your tyres increases as they heat up. If you set your pressures when your tyres are already warm, their pressure will probably be too low.
Overheated engines are one of the most likely causes of a roadside breakdown in very hot weather. Make sure that your vehicle’s cooling system is in good shape by having it checked by a mechanic. Radiator cooling fans are more likely to seize on older cars – meaning they won’t work when they’re needed. An overheated engine can lead to a costly repair, so preventative maintenance could save you money in the long run.
Tony Rich, AA head of road safety, said: “In the areas affected by the extreme forecasted temperatures, it could be dangerous if you breakdown or get stuck in congestion. Ensure you have enough fuel or electric charge to keep your air-conditioning running. The heatwave could cause considerable problems for many older vehicles without air-conditioning or recent servicing, with both the car and occupants over-heating. Driving outside the hottest part of the day is advisable.
“Carry plenty of water – at least one litre per person travelling. Keeping yourself and other occupants hydrated can help lower body temperatures in hot weather. If the worst should happen, you can keep yourself and those with you topped up with cool water while waiting for help to arrive.
“If your car breaks down when temperatures are high, it’s even more important than usual that we get to you as quickly as we can. The quickest way for our members to report a breakdown is through the AA breakdown app.
“Knowing your exaction location is vital to us, so downloading the what3words app (w3w) and reporting your unique w3w location can help us to reach you faster. Try to wait in the shade in a safe place.”
A guide for safe summer driving | The AA
A hot weekend in prospect for some - Met Office
Heat health alerts | UKHSA data dashboard
Leaving dogs in hot cars on sunny days | The AA