The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for extreme heat that will affect 71 areas across the UK from Monday, June 22, at 1am until 11.59pm on Tuesday, June 23. The forecaster has cautioned that the scorching conditions could lead to power cuts and pose a risk to health.
Heat Warning Details and Potential Impacts
The Met Office warned that the blistering temperatures could cause "heat-sensitive systems and equipment" to fail, resulting in "power cuts and the loss of other services to homes and businesses". The warning covers a "developing hot spell through Monday and Tuesday [that] will likely lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure".
Forecasters have raised their temperature predictions, with highs of 35°C anticipated on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is increasing confidence that the UK's June temperature record of 35.6°C, set in Southampton in 1976, could be surpassed. The mercury already hit 31.2°C in Writtle, Essex, on Friday.
Guidance During a Power Cut
The Met Office has provided the following guidance in the event of a power cut:
- If electricity is crucial for any medical equipment, contact your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to be placed on their Priority Register for assistance during any power outage.
- Ensure you have multiple torches with extra batteries.
- Keep your mobile phone charged to make calls in case of an emergency.
- Keep fridges and freezers closed, with a blanket over them, as they will stay cold for many hours.
- Keep important documents safe and handy.
- Look out for elderly neighbours and ensure they are prepared for a possible power cut.
- Switch off appliances such as irons, ovens, electric fires, and fryers, as they could pose a hazard if the power comes back on when you are not there.
- For people using a digital landline who don't have a mobile phone or live in an area with poor mobile signal, speak to your communications provider about additional support they can offer in advance.
Affected Areas by Region
East Midlands: Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Rutland.
East of England: Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Southend-on-Sea, Suffolk, Thurrock.
London & South East England: Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Greater London, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Medway, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Southampton, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham.
South West England: Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire.
Wales: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan.
West Midlands: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire.
