The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat alerts across all nine English regions, warning of a potential rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. The alert came into force at midday on Thursday and is expected to remain until 9am on Monday, as temperatures are forecast to reach up to 33C in some areas.
Thursday saw the UK's hottest day of the year so far, with 32.2C recorded at Kew in west London. The Met Office predicts Humberside could hit 33C on Saturday, with London remaining above 30C. The UKHSA stated that 'significant impacts' are likely across health and social care services.
The Met Office also warned that the UK could exceed 40C in the near future, with highs of 45C 'possible' in the current climate. This would surpass the current record of 40.3C set in Coningsby, Lincolnshire, during the 2022 heatwave, which saw 3,000 excess deaths in England and Wales.
This heatwave follows a period of extreme weather, including the driest February to April on record, with droughts declared in the north-west and Yorkshire. Wildfires have also surged, with more than double the rural blazes in the first four months of this year compared to the same period before the 2022 heatwave.
The UKHSA recommends staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, drinking plenty of fluids, and wearing sunscreen and protective clothing. It urges people to look out for older individuals, who are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death.
