Amber heat health alerts are in place for large parts of England, with temperatures expected to reach 30C in the South East on Saturday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the alert from 12pm on Friday to 6pm on Tuesday, covering the East Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, and London.
A yellow health warning is also in place for Yorkshire and the Humber and the West Midlands. The amber alert is the second highest on the UKHSA's system, warning of significant impacts on health and social services. The agency cautioned that high temperatures could lead to a rise in deaths, particularly among those over 65 or with health conditions.
On Friday, temperatures reached 29C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, and are forecast to climb further. The Met Office predicts highs of 30-31C in the South East on Sunday. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C across the UK.
The UKHSA warned of increased demand for health services, overheating indoors, and potential issues managing medicines and power supply. Charities have also issued warnings: the British Heart Foundation urged those with heart conditions to take precautions, while Age UK encouraged checking on older relatives and neighbours.
