Liverpool is forecast to be hotter than Barcelona today as a heatwave continues across the UK, with an amber heat alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the North West of England.
Temperature comparison and forecast
The Met Office predicts sunny conditions in Liverpool throughout the day, with temperatures reaching 25C by 10am and peaking at 30C between 3pm and 5pm. The mercury will remain at 26C by 9pm before dropping to 21C at 11pm. Pollen levels are very high. Tomorrow, highs of 29C are expected, with high pollen levels again. In contrast, Barcelona in Spain will reach a high of 28C today and tomorrow afternoon, according to the Met Office.
Amber alert details and health impacts
The amber alert is in place until Sunday, July 12 at 9pm. According to the UKHSA, the amber alert means weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, with potential for the whole population to be at risk. Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups.
It is also likely there will be an increased demand on all health and social care services. Internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment. The heat could affect the ability of the workforce to deliver services. Indoor environments could overheat, increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings. There would also be issues managing medicines, staffing issues due to external factors (for example, affecting transport) and increased demand for power exceeding capacity. Water-related incidents may increase too, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning.
Geographical extent and forecast
While the heat will gradually ease across southern and eastern parts of the UK during the weekend and into next week, very warm weather is set to continue as the focus of the highest temperatures shifts towards the southwest. Amber heat health alerts have also been issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West, Yorkshire and the Humber.
Speaking about this week's warm weather, Met Office deputy chief forecaster David Hayter said: “Areas of central and southern England and Wales are expected to see several more consecutive days of temperatures above 30C. While temperatures are expected to reach into the low to mid-30Cs through the weekend, the focus of the heat will gradually shift towards western parts of the UK. This will also bring some slightly cooler and cloudier conditions to eastern coastal areas than of recent days. It will also turn windier across southern areas, bringing breezier conditions, especially along coasts and headlands. The main exception to the largely dry and sunny conditions is northern Scotland, where a cold front is bringing rain, cloud and some heavy downpours on Friday. But conditions are expected to improve over the weekend. There is a possible increase in thunderstorms from Monday in parts of the south, however most areas will remain dry, sunny and very warm into the coming week.”
