The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow heat health alert for the North East, effective from 9am on August 11 until 9pm on August 14. The warning comes as temperatures are forecast to reach up to 32°C in some areas of the region.
Potential impacts on health and social care
The alert indicates that significant impacts are possible across health and social care services, including a potential rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with pre-existing health conditions, with possible effects on younger groups as well.
There is also a chance of increased demand for health services, as internal temperatures in hospitals and care homes may exceed recommended thresholds. Indoor environments could overheat, raising risks for vulnerable people. The heat may also affect the ability of some workers to deliver services.
Water-related risks and regional warnings
Water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning, as seen in recent heatwaves. The North East is the only region in England under a yellow warning; amber alerts have been issued for East Midlands, East of England, London, North West, South East, South West, and West Midlands.
Forecast peak temperatures
Thursday is expected to be the peak of the heatwave, with 31°C forecast in Newcastle upon Tyne and 32°C in Darlington, which would be warmer than Tenerife's maximum of 29°C on the same day.
No Met Office weather alerts are currently in place, but that could change. Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: "We sometimes issue extreme heat warnings, amber and red warnings, which we did back in June, so that's under consideration at the moment."
He added: "If it wasn't for this incredible summer that we're currently seeing, then we'd be talking about these temperatures as being really, very unusual. But of course, we've had such an exceptional summer, people have become a bit used to it."
Morgan noted: "There is a potential for impacts, so impacts to infrastructure, things like railway lines and power networks, impacts to vulnerable people as well."
