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Amber heat health alerts issued as temperatures above 30C likely Amber heat health alerts issued as temperatures above 30C likely
(32 minutes later)
Amber heat health alerts have been issued across the whole of England with temperatures likely to exceed 30C for the first time this year.Amber heat health alerts have been issued across the whole of England with temperatures likely to exceed 30C for the first time this year.
The alerts, which will be in effect from midday on Thursday until 09:00 BST on Monday, come as an expected heatwave approaches much of the country.The alerts, which will be in effect from midday on Thursday until 09:00 BST on Monday, come as an expected heatwave approaches much of the country.
The UK Health Security Agency said "significant impacts are likely" for health and social care services including increased demand. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said "significant impacts are likely" for health and social care services, including increased demand.
Temperatures will widely be between 27C and 30C on Thursday across east Wales, the Midlands, and East and South East England with a few locations around Greater London and the home counties reaching 31C.Temperatures will widely be between 27C and 30C on Thursday across east Wales, the Midlands, and East and South East England with a few locations around Greater London and the home counties reaching 31C.
Elsewhere, temperatures will climb to between 23C and 27C though along the coast it will feel cooler, with temperatures sitting around 20C.Elsewhere, temperatures will climb to between 23C and 27C though along the coast it will feel cooler, with temperatures sitting around 20C.
It follows a period of high temperatures across the UK with yellow heat health-alerts having previously been in place.It follows a period of high temperatures across the UK with yellow heat health-alerts having previously been in place.
The alert system works in conjunction with the Met Office but has a focus on health risks using four levels of warning; green, yellow, amber and red.
An amber warning means weather impacts "are likely to be felt across the whole health service".
Among examples given by UKHSA are difficulties managing medicines, the ability of the workforce to deliver services and internal temperatures in care settings exceeding the recommended thresholds.
The agency also refers to a possible rise in deaths - particularly among those aged 65 or over or with health conditions.
At this level, it is possible some health impacts will be seen across the wider population and not just affecting those who are most vulnerable.
The rising temperatures are down to an area of high pressure situated across the UK which, with a south-easterly wind, draws in hot weather from other parts of Western Europe.The rising temperatures are down to an area of high pressure situated across the UK which, with a south-easterly wind, draws in hot weather from other parts of Western Europe.
When is a heatwave really a heatwave?
What does hot weather do to the body?
What is a heat health alert and how do they work?
Increased chance of a hot summer and heatwaves
A temperature of 29.3C was recorded at St James' Park in London on Wednesday evening, just slightly lower than the record for the year so far which stood at 29.4C and was recorded in Suffolk on 13 June.A temperature of 29.3C was recorded at St James' Park in London on Wednesday evening, just slightly lower than the record for the year so far which stood at 29.4C and was recorded in Suffolk on 13 June.
Some locations in Lincolnshire and Suffolk have already had two consecutive days where the temperature has exceeded the heatwave threshold of 27C. Thursday would make it a third day which would therefore place these parts in an official heatwave.Some locations in Lincolnshire and Suffolk have already had two consecutive days where the temperature has exceeded the heatwave threshold of 27C. Thursday would make it a third day which would therefore place these parts in an official heatwave.
For a heatwave to be declared by the Met Office a threshold temperature needs to be met for at least three consecutive days.
The threshold varies from 25C across the north and west of the UK, to 28C in parts of eastern England.
Friday will again see temperatures widely in the mid to high twenties across the UK, with a few spots in South East England once again exceeding 30C.Friday will again see temperatures widely in the mid to high twenties across the UK, with a few spots in South East England once again exceeding 30C.
Northern and western parts of the UK will see a slight fall in temperatures on Saturday with the risk of some showers or thunderstorms. Regional fire services have issued warnings around water safety amid the high temperatures.
The London Fire Brigade said it has responded to more than 280 water-related incidents this year – an increase of more than 15% compared with the same period last year.
Fifteen of those incidents resulted in people drowning, the fire service added.
Other organisations have also been providing advice over recent days.
British Heart Foundation (BHF) has told those with heart conditions to take precautions as high temperatures can put extra strain on the heart.
Age UK has also encouraged people to check in on older relatives, friends and neighbours.
Northern and western parts of the UK will see a slight fall in temperature on Saturday with the risk of some showers or thunderstorms - for central and eastern England it will be the peak in the heatwave with temperatures rising to between 30 and 33C.
A change in wind direction to a westerly on Sunday is set to cause the heatwave to break and all parts will be a little cooler.A change in wind direction to a westerly on Sunday is set to cause the heatwave to break and all parts will be a little cooler.
Although eastern areas won't be as hot, temperatures will still be in the mid to high twenties.Although eastern areas won't be as hot, temperatures will still be in the mid to high twenties.