Temperatures are forecast to soar to 36C in parts of the UK as the country heads towards another heatwave. The Met Office has said that after a brief dip on Monday (August 10), temperatures will begin to rise day by day from Tuesday (August 11), reaching possible highs of 36C across East Anglia and south east England at its peak.
Greater Manchester Heatwave
Greater Manchester is forecast to have a three-day heatwave between Tuesday and Thursday (August 14), where temperatures are set to soar as high as 33C at its peak.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow and amber heat-health alerts affecting the whole of England this week. All regions except for north east England have been hit with more significant amber alerts.
Amber Alert in Force
An amber alert is in force across north west England - as well as Yorkshire and Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West - between 9am on Tuesday (August 11) and 9am on Friday (August 14).
The alert means that 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
- Likely 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 affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services
- Indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings
- Issues managing medicines
- Staffing issues due to external factors (for example, affecting transport)
- Increased demand for power exceeding capacity
- Other sectors starting to observe impacts (for example, travel delays)
- Water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning
Met Office Warning
Met Office Chief Forecaster Jason Kelly said: “Heat will gradually build this week, with temperatures reaching into the mid-30s Celsius in what will be a fairly widespread heatwave for England and Wales.
“The driver for this week’s heat is high pressure, this becoming dominant over the next day or so, bringing plenty of sunshine and allowing temperatures to build day-by-day.
"Southerly or southeasterly winds will also tap into the hot conditions over Europe, meaning we’re looking at further notable heat for many this week, likely peaking on Thursday."
11am until 3pm Health Warning
The UKHSA and the Met Office have issued some advice for staying safe during the heatwave.
One key piece of advice is to keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am and 3pm. This is because these are the times that the sun is the strongest.
Other advice includes drinking plenty of fluids, close your curtains in rooms that face the sun, and keeping to the shade, wear sunscreen and wear a hat when outside.
