23/06/2026
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🌡️ Extreme heat: service updates and health advice
📅 Last updated: Tuesday 23 June 2026
The Met Office has issued extreme heat warnings for parts of Wales, including Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Very high daytime temperatures, warm nights and increased health risks are expected. Temperatures may reach the mid-to-late 30s, with “feels like” temperatures in our area potentially reaching over 40°C.
Please take extra care, look out for others, and check our website and social media channels for updates to Council services.
🏛️ Council service updates
Due to the extreme heat, some Council services may be affected at short notice.
Any confirmed changes will be published on our website and shared on Facebook.
♻️ Waste and recycling collections
To help keep our collection crews safe during the extreme heat, waste and recycling collections will start from 6am this week.
Please place your recycling and waste out by:
➡️ 6am on the morning of collection, or
➡️ From 7pm the evening before
⚠️ Due to the extreme temperatures, delays to collections are likely.
If your collection is delayed, please leave your waste and recycling at your usual collection point so crews can collect it later.
Please help our crews by:
✅ Putting items out on time
✅ Leaving waste and recycling out if it has not been collected at the usual time
✅ Keeping containers clear of footpaths where possible
✅ Not overfilling bags or containers
✅ Keeping dogs safely away from collection crews
✅ Being patient while crews work safely in the hot weather
Further updates will be shared if there are any changes to collections.
🏫 Schools and childcare settings
Most schools are expected to remain open throughout the weather warning, unless there are specific health and safety concerns at an individual school.
For the latest information on school closures or changes to school hours, visit:
🔗 https://orlo.uk/voqgO
⚠️ We are aware of a fake AI-generated image circulating on social media which says all schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf are closed.
Accurate information will only be available from:
✅ The Council’s Emergency School Closures page
✅ Official communication from your school
Schools will continue to follow their own heat safety arrangements and will contact parents and carers directly if there are any changes affecting pupils.
👕 Many schools are also relaxing uniform requirements during the extreme heat. Each school will communicate its local arrangements directly with parents and carers.
Parents and carers should ensure children have:
💧 Water
👕 Suitable clothing
🧴 Sunscreen where appropriate
🎒 Any items requested by the school
🏊 Leisure, parks and outdoor services
Activities may be changed, moved indoors, postponed or cancelled at short notice where there is a risk to public safety.
If you are attending leisure facilities, parks or play areas, please:
💧 Take water with you
🧴 Use sunscreen
👕 Wear loose, lightweight clothing
🌡️ Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day
🌅 Plan activities for early morning or evening where possible
Parents and carers visiting play areas should also take extra care.
⚠️ Play equipment and safety surfaces can become very hot in direct sunshine. Please check slides, swings, climbing frames and other equipment before children use them, and avoid anything that feels too hot to touch.
👥 Adult social care
If you or someone you know receives social care or support and you have concerns during the extreme heat, please contact your care provider in the first instance.
If you are worried about your own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of someone you care for, please seek advice as soon as possible.
🩺 Public health advice
Extreme heat can affect anyone, but some people are at greater risk, including:
👵 Older people
🤰 Pregnant women
👶 Babies and young children
💊 People with health conditions
🛏️ People who are bed bound
👷 People who work or spend lots of time outdoors
To stay safe in hot weather:
✅ Stay in the shade where possible
✅ Drink plenty of water throughout the day
✅ Close curtains, blinds and windows during the day, then open them in the evening when it is cooler
✅ Use sunscreen of SPF 30 or above with at least 4-star UVA protection
✅ Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day
✅ Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be more vulnerable
👶 Parents and carers should avoid covering prams or buggies with blankets or cloths, as this can trap heat.
Lightweight bedding and cooler rooms, including downstairs rooms where appropriate, can help babies and young children stay safer overnight.
🚨 If you feel unwell in the heat
If you or someone else feels unwell:
1️⃣ Move to a cooler place
2️⃣ Rest and remove unnecessary clothing
3️⃣ Sip cold water
4️⃣ Avoid alcohol, caffeine, hot drinks and sugary drinks
5️⃣ Call NHS 111 Wales for advice if symptoms continue
6️⃣ Call 999 in an emergency
⚠️ Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If symptoms worsen, seek urgent medical help.
🌊 Water safety
It may be tempting to cool off in rivers, lakes or reservoirs, but open water can be dangerous.
⚠️ Cold-water shock is a serious risk, even in hot weather.
If you do enter open water, do so slowly and carefully.
🚫 Never swim in reservoirs.
If you get into difficulty in water, remember:
🛟 Float to Live
🚆 Travel advice
Transport for Wales is advising passengers to check before travelling, as hot weather may affect some services across the network.
📲 Keep up to date
🔗 Check the latest Met Office warnings: https://orlo.uk/5sBov
🔗 Read Public Health Wales hot weather advice: https://orlo.uk/o6kHV
Please take care, stay hydrated and look out for others. 💧🌡️
