The Met Office has confirmed four areas of England are facing a yellow heat-health warning from Wednesday as temperatures are forecast to hit up to 30C. A warm and humid spell of weather is on the cards across England later this week, with parts of the country expected to see temperatures in the high twenties by Thursday, approaching 30C in the south east on Friday.
A yellow heat-health alert has been issued by the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the East Midlands, East of England, London and South East England, with the alerts coming into force from 3pm on Wednesday, June 17, until 8pm on Monday, June 22.
The UKHSA says the yellow warning means minor impacts are “likely” across health and social care services, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, greater risk to life of vulnerable people, increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm, and water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning.
According to the Met Office forecast, the weather will gradually heat up through the week with temperatures turning very warm and increasingly humid in the South East by Thursday, with highs into the upper 20Cs possible. Friday is expected to be the warmest day, potentially hitting 30C in South East England, but there is an increasing risk of thunderstorms developing.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Tom Crabtree said: “This week’s contrasting weather of both heat, rain, and potential thunderstorms is a result of a low pressure system influencing the UK from the northwest. The southerly flow stalls a front over the west of the UK whilst allowing temperatures to build in the southeast.
“Friday is set to be the warmest day of the week, but it’s important to note that peak temperatures could be impacted by cloud cover. Temperatures are likely to range from 26 to 28C, with the potential to approach 30C in parts of southeast England. “Elsewhere temperatures will remain closer to average but could be warm at times in parts of Wales and the west Midlands. Of course, the picture for the weekend will become clearer closer to the time, so keep an eye on our forecasts as the week goes on.”
To stay safe in bouts of hot weather, both the Met Office and UKHSA recommend keeping curtains, blinds and doors closed during the peak of the day to keep it cooler inside, drinking plenty of fluids, limiting alcohol intake, and keeping out of the sun between 11am to 3pm when UV rays are strongest. If you become too warm and experience symptoms of heat exhaustion, which include tiredness, weakness, feeling faint, headaches and feeling sick, you should move to a cooler space with no direct sunlight, remove unnecessary clothing, have a cold drink and apply cool water to exposed skin.
The UKHSA added: “You should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes. If you are concerned about symptoms, or they are worsening, seek medical advice by contacting NHS 111. In an emergency, or if you think someone has heatstroke, dial 999.”
