The UK is experiencing a severe late June heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C in some areas. The Met Office has issued red weather warnings for parts of Wales and England for today, Wednesday, and Thursday, while the UK Health Security Agency has also issued red health alerts. Schools across Wales and the UK have closed, and temperatures could approach the UK's all-time record of 40.3°C, recorded in Lincolnshire in July 2022, and are widely expected to break the previous June record of 35.6°C, set in Hampshire in 1976.
Heart Failure: The Hidden Danger
BBC journalist and former weather presenter Lara Lewington has highlighted the greatest danger during extreme heat: heart failure, not heatstroke or dehydration. In a TikTok video, she explained: "Why do people die when the weather gets hot? The main reason isn't heat stroke or dehydration. There's another reason that accounts for more deaths in heatwaves, and that's heart failure. When you get hot, your body directs more blood towards your skin so that you can radiate some of the heat away. To do this, your heart has to beat harder and faster. And, for the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions, this can simply push their system to its limit, leading to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, or heart failure. So as we head into the heatwave this week, make sure you stay hydrated, keep cool, and check in on any elderly or vulnerable relatives."
Areas Under Red Heat Warning
The red weather warning covers multiple regions in Wales and England:
- Wales: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan
- East Midlands: Northamptonshire
- East of England: Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Thurrock, Bracknell Forest, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Reading, Slough, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham
- South West England: Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire
- West Midlands: Herefordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire
How to Stay Safe During the Heatwave
The UK Government has issued the following tips for coping with hot weather:
- Avoid the sun when it is strongest, typically between 11am and 3pm. If you must go outdoors, apply high-protection sunscreen regularly, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and seek shade.
- Keep your home cool: close windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun during the day. Open windows (if safe) when the air feels cooler outside than inside, such as at night, and try to get air flowing through your home.
- Limit strenuous physical activity, or plan it for cooler times of the day, like early morning or evening.
- Avoid hot, closed spaces like stationary cars.
- Wear loose, light-coloured clothing made from breathable natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. Dark colours and synthetic materials absorb and trap heat.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day, not only when thirsty. If sweating heavily, consider rehydration drinks to replace lost electrolytes. Limit caffeine and alcohol, which contribute to dehydration.
- Spray or sponge your skin with cool water. Cold packs wrapped in a cloth and placed under the armpits or on the neck can also help.
- Turn off non-essential electronics, as TVs, laptops, and chargers generate heat.
