Households across 51 areas of England and Wales are being urged to ensure their mobile phones are fully charged ahead of Monday, as a scorching heatwave threatens to pressure infrastructure. The Met Office has issued a 47-hour amber alert for extreme heat, with temperatures expected to peak around 34C on Monday and Tuesday, risking disruption to essential services.
Met Office Warning and Advice
The Met Office stated there is an increased chance that heat-sensitive systems and equipment may fail, leading to power cuts and loss of services. Practical advice includes keeping mobile phones charged for emergencies, stocking up on batteries and torches, storing important documents safely, and keeping fridge and freezer doors shut during outages.
Those with digital landlines but no mobile, or in poor signal areas, should contact their communications provider for support. The Met Office also advises checking on elderly neighbors and switching off appliances like irons and ovens to prevent hazards when power returns.
Areas Affected
The amber warning covers 51 local authority areas across southern England and southeastern Wales, from 1am Monday to 11.59pm Tuesday. Affected regions include:
- East of England: Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Norfolk, Southend-on-Sea, Suffolk, Thurrock
- London and 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, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan
Temperature Forecast
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Greg Wolverson said temperatures will peak in the mid-30s Celsius on Monday and Tuesday, with high humidity making it feel warmer. Tropical nights, where temperatures stay above 20C, are also expected.
