Heat health alerts are set to come into force as the UK braces for its fifth heatwave of the year, with almost three-quarters of England now in drought. Temperatures are forecast to reach 36C in some areas on Thursday, according to the Met Office.
Alerts and Forecast
From 9am on Tuesday, heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will be in place across England until Friday evening. Officials have urged people to take simple steps to stay safe, such as drinking plenty of water, checking on vulnerable friends and family, and avoiding the sun at the hottest part of the day.
Amber heat health alerts have been issued for most of England, including the Midlands, South East, North West, and South West, while a yellow alert will be in force for the North East. On Tuesday, highs of 29C in Cardiff, 28C in Manchester, and 25C in London are forecast before temperatures soar later in the week.
Drought and Wildfires
The Environment Agency (EA) said 71.3% of England is experiencing “flash drought,” following the country’s driest July on record and a dry start to August. Flash drought develops very quickly due to a combination of very low rainfall and high temperatures. The East Midlands, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Kent, East Sussex, and Solent and the South Downs have become the latest areas to move into drought status.
Firefighters have been battling a series of fires across the UK, including one in the New Forest National Park, Hampshire. The blaze started after a van caught fire on the nearby A31 near Ringwood on Sunday. The affected area is protected heathland, home to a number of rare species, according to the New Forest National Park Authority. On Monday evening, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were “set to work into the night again” as more than 120 firefighters attended the scene. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported crews attending “multiple wildfire incidents,” including at Cwmavon Woods in Blaenavon, Wattsville in Sirhowy Valley, and Abernant in Aberdare.
Impact and Warnings
This summer has seen extreme heat and dry conditions, with two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June leading to the deaths of more than 2,800 people, followed by further heatwaves in July. Some 45 million people are in drought-stricken areas, and 27 million customers are under hosepipe bans as rivers and reservoirs run low. Farmers have warned of a “brutal harvest” for crops and a lack of feed for livestock, and there have been warnings of food price inflation shocks later in the year as the searing summer across Europe affects supply chains.
The latest heatwave, expected to be widespread throughout England and Wales, is set to subside over the weekend, bringing fresher air and rain, but forecasters warn this will not make up for the shortfall in recent months.
