The Met Office has issued a power cut warning for 37 UK areas as the nation battles its fifth heatwave of the summer. A blistering 38C is forecast later this week, prompting the forecaster to issue a rare amber extreme heat warning.
Amber warning in force on Thursday
This warning will be in force for much of Thursday across parts of southern and eastern England, as well as the Midlands, and may lead to impacts on transport, infrastructure and health. The national weather forecaster also warns that adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to the extreme heat.
The Met Office said: "The wider population is likely to experience some adverse health effects including sunburn or heat exhaustion (dehydration, nausea, fatigue) and other heat-related illnesses."
Potential power cuts and health advice
The forecaster adds that areas within this extreme heat warning may experience power cuts as some heat sensitive systems and equipment may fail. The Met Office also advises people to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm during periods of hot weather, when the UV rays are strongest.
Those who have to go out in the heat should walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat. To keep cool, Brits should also close curtains in rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler.
Health alerts and affected regions
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued amber heat health alerts across almost all of England. This summer is on track to be the UK’s hottest on record, according to the Met Office.
Regions and local authorities affected include:
- East Midlands: Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Rutland
- East of England: Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Suffolk, Thurrock
- London & South East England: Bracknell Forest, Buckinghamshire, Greater London, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Reading, Slough, Surrey, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham
- West Midlands: Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire
- Yorkshire & Humber: North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire
