The Met Office has confirmed that the current heatwave in Greater Manchester is expected to peak on Friday, with temperatures potentially reaching 33C. The warning comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) upgraded its heat-health alert for northwest England from yellow to amber, indicating significant impacts on health and social care services due to the high temperatures.
Amber Heat-Health Alerts Across England
Amber heat-health alerts are now in effect across the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South West and South East. Only northeast England remains under a yellow alert. These warnings will remain in place until 9pm on Saturday, July 11, according to the UKHSA.
The UKHSA warns that areas under the amber alert could see a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with pre-existing health conditions, as well as increased demand on health and social care services.
Hottest Conditions Expected Thursday and Friday
The Met Office states that the hottest conditions across the UK are expected on Thursday and Friday, with some locations in England potentially reaching 35C or 36C. While temperatures will gradually ease in southern and eastern parts of the UK over the weekend and into next week, very warm weather is set to persist.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree said: “Many people will understandably want to know how long the current heatwave is likely to last. While temperatures are expected to ease across southeast England through the weekend and into next week, it won't be a straightforward end to the warm weather.”
Continued Warmth and Potential Thunderstorms
Crabtree added: “High pressure is expected to remain in charge through much of next week, but it will gradually migrate northwards. This means that an easterly wind will become established in the south, and the focus for the hottest conditions will migrate towards the southwest.”
He continued: “As a result, some places that have seen the highest temperatures during recent weeks will begin to cool. It will however, remain very warm – especially in the southwest – and heatwave thresholds may continue to be met in places. The overall signal is for continued fine, dry and very warm weather at times for many parts of the UK into next week. There is however a chance of thunderstorms spreading into parts of the south and southwest.”
Greater Manchester Forecast
The Met Office told the Manchester Evening News that temperatures in Greater Manchester could reach 33C at the peak of the heatwave on Friday. After Friday, the weather is expected to remain fine and dry, though not as hot. The forecast for Manchester shows 29C on Thursday, 31C on Friday, 29C on Saturday, 27C on Sunday, 26C on Monday and Tuesday, and 27C on Wednesday.
For Greater Manchester to be officially classified as in a heatwave, temperatures must exceed 25C for three consecutive days.
