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UK weather: Heat health alerts in force amid water shortage fears UK weather: Heat health alerts in force amid water shortage fears
(about 2 hours later)
The RSPCA encourages owners to walk dogs early in the morning and later in the evening during hot weather
Heat health alerts have come into force across England on Tuesday morning, ahead of the expected peak of the UK's fourth heatwave of the year.Heat health alerts have come into force across England on Tuesday morning, ahead of the expected peak of the UK's fourth heatwave of the year.
Much of England and Wales will see 25-28C, reaching 34C in some areas, with heatwave thresholds likely to be met in several regions this week.Much of England and Wales will see 25-28C, reaching 34C in some areas, with heatwave thresholds likely to be met in several regions this week.
In central and southern areas, amber heat health alerts mean a rise in deaths and increased demand on health services, as well as travel disruptions, are likely.In central and southern areas, amber heat health alerts mean a rise in deaths and increased demand on health services, as well as travel disruptions, are likely.
After a dry spring and a string of summer heatwaves, England is now suffering from "nationally significant" water shortfalls, the national drought group - which includes the Met Office, regulators, the government and water companies - has warned.After a dry spring and a string of summer heatwaves, England is now suffering from "nationally significant" water shortfalls, the national drought group - which includes the Met Office, regulators, the government and water companies - has warned.
The group said England is experiencing widespread environmental and agricultural effects from the shortage of water, which were hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging river wildlife and wetlands, as well as increasing wildfires. Follow updates on this story
The amber heat health alerts, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), came into effect across the Midlands, East Anglia, London and south-east England at 09:00 BST and continue until 18:00 on Wednesday.
Less severe yellow alerts - indicating negative effects on the vulnerable and health services are possible - will cover the rest of England.
A jet stream to the north and high pressure to the east is drawing up hot and humid air from the south
The UK has been drawing in some very warm air from Europe, where temperatures have been particularly high. Bergerac and Bordeaux in France set all-time records at 41.4C and 41.6C, respectively, on Monday.
Low 30s are likely for central and southern England, as well as south-eastern Wales, on Tuesday. Anywhere from south-west Midlands to west London could see a high of 34C.
While this would not be the hottest day of the year so far, the current record in Wales could be threatened.
Temperatures across Scotland and Northern Ireland could reach as high as 27C.
How do heat health alerts work?How do heat health alerts work?
What should you look for when choosing sunscreen?
What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?
The group said England is experiencing widespread environmental and agricultural effects from the shortage of water, which was hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging river wildlife and wetlands, as well as increasing wildfires.
The amber heat health alerts, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), came into effect across the Midlands, East Anglia, London and south-east England at 09:00 BST and continue until 18:00 on Wednesday.
Less severe yellow alerts - indicating negative effects on the vulnerable and health services are possible - will cover the rest of England.
Many reservoirs in northern England, like Baitings Reservoir in Yorkshire, have hit extremely low levels
Droughts began to occur earlier this summer following a long period of low rainfall and the sixth driest spring since records began in 1836.
Millions of people in England are now under hosepipe bans aimed at limiting water consumption over the summer.
While water companies have blamed the heat and lack of rain, they have faced criticism over leaks from the water infrastructure they manage.
The GMB union called Thames Water's hosepipe ban "disgraceful" given it alone had leaked 200 billion litres of water in the past year.
The hot weather has also been causing challenges for farmers across England as they approach the harvest.
"It looks like this year's harvest will be catastrophic," Clarkson's Farm star Jeremy Clarkson wrote on social media. "That should be a worry for anyone who eats food."
Norfolk had three heatwaves this summer before the latest bout of warm weather, which affected crop yields including wheat and barley.
Farmer Kit Papworth said: "[The] harvest is earlier but yields have been depressed, we just haven't got the crop that we normally would have."
Martin Williams, a third-generation arable farmer in Herefordshire, said 2025 could be a write-off for his crop.
"It's burnt to brown, it looks like toast. It's all straggly and dead, and it's not really good for much at all."
The UK has been drawing in some very warm air from Europe, where temperatures have been particularly high
There have been 13 days so far this year that have seen temperatures in excess of 30C.There have been 13 days so far this year that have seen temperatures in excess of 30C.
That number will rise further this week, but is still less than the 19 days in 2022 and 34 days in 1995.That number will rise further this week, but is still less than the 19 days in 2022 and 34 days in 1995.
While not all parts of the UK will enter a heatwave this week, some areas are expected to enter a heatwave on Wednesday, when they surpass a temperature threshold that varies by region for at least three consecutive days.While not all parts of the UK will enter a heatwave this week, some areas are expected to enter a heatwave on Wednesday, when they surpass a temperature threshold that varies by region for at least three consecutive days.
Conditions will remain warm for a third day for most on Wednesday, though temperatures could dip a little in the west.
Highest temperatures of 2025:Highest temperatures of 2025:
England - 35.8C Faversham, 1JulyEngland - 35.8C Faversham, 1July
Wales - 33.1C Cardiff Bute Park, 12 JulyWales - 33.1C Cardiff Bute Park, 12 July
Scotland - 32.2C Aviemore, 12 JulyScotland - 32.2C Aviemore, 12 July
Northern Ireland - 30C Magilligan, 12 JulyNorthern Ireland - 30C Magilligan, 12 July
It will also be cloudier and more humid, with the highest temperatures forecast for East Anglia. Conditions will remain warm for a third day on Wednesday, though temperatures could dip a little in the west.
The heat will ease for most on Thursday with some thunderstorms and some cooler, less humid air into Friday. The heat will ease for most on Thursday with some thunderstorms and some cooler, less humid air into Friday - but temperatures could rise again into the weekend.
However, temperatures are likely to rise again into the weekend to the mid-to-high 20s, with 30C possible in southern England and southern Wales.
While linking climate change with specific individual extreme weather events can be difficult, scientists say that climate change is generally making heatwaves hotter, longer and more frequent.While linking climate change with specific individual extreme weather events can be difficult, scientists say that climate change is generally making heatwaves hotter, longer and more frequent.