A yellow heat health alert has been issued across much of England for the start of next week as forecasters predict another heatwave. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warning covers London, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, and the east, south-east and south-west of England. It will be in place from midday on Monday until 6pm on Wednesday.
Temperatures could reach the mid-30s across central, southern and eastern areas of the country by Wednesday, the Met Office has said. The hottest day of the year so far was 1 July, when 34.7C was recorded at St James’s Park in central London.
The health warning warns of significant impacts across health and social care services, including a potential rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Grahame Madge, a Met Office spokesperson, said: 'The general pattern is that we’ll see temperatures start to increase from Sunday and the duration of the heat is likely to last until Tuesday, possibly Wednesday.'
The heatwave threshold is met when a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value: 25C for most of the UK, but 28C in London and its surrounding area. Madge added: 'I think we could be seeing parts of the UK have another heatwave by the middle of next week.'
Earlier this summer, a combination of amber and yellow heat health warnings were issued across England when temperatures exceeded 30C in several parts of the country, leading several water companies to impose hosepipe bans.
