The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded a heat health-alert for Liverpool from yellow to amber, warning that 'significant impacts' are likely across health and social care services due to high temperatures. The alert system provides early warning when adverse temperatures are likely to affect the health and wellbeing of the population.
Amber Alert Details and Affected Regions
Areas under the amber heat-health alert include the North West, Yorkshire and Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, and South West. The North East has been issued with a yellow heat-health alert. Alerts are in place from Monday, June 22 at 11am until Friday, June 26 at 11pm.
According to the UKHSA, amber alerts suggest that significant impacts are likely, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Impacts on younger age groups are also possible. Other potential impacts include heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services and an increase in water-related incidents, such as risk from cold-water shock and drowning.
Forecast Temperatures and Warnings
For much of the UK, the heatwave threshold will likely be met at the weekend before the week starts with an amber extreme heat warning, with temperatures potentially climbing up to or above 35°C in some areas. The Met Office stated: '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.'
There is expected to be 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.
Specific Warning for Liverpool
The extreme heat amber warning for Liverpool is active from 12am on Wednesday June 24 and will be lifted at 11.59pm on Thursday June 25. The UK national weather forecaster said: 'Hot and humid weather is expected to continue through the middle of the week, with exceptionally warm temperatures both day and night.'
Further detail about the amber warning states: 'Very hot weather is likely to continue in general until at least Thursday across the highlighted region, although significant variations from place to place and day by day are likely. Temperatures by day are widely expected to exceed 30°C, with the hottest areas potentially peaking around 38°C. Overnight, temperatures are unlikely to fall much lower than high teens Celsius, and some places will not fall below 20 or 21°C. These high temperatures will also be accompanied by high humidity.'
