Get you up to speed: Health warning issued as Met Office forecasts hottest day of the year | News UK
The UK is experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 30.5°C in Frittenden, Kent, marking the hottest day of the year so far. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber heat health alerts for several regions, warning of increased health risks particularly for vulnerable populations.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat health alerts for several regions, including London and the South East, effective until 5pm on Wednesday. These alerts indicate a significant increase in health risks, particularly for individuals aged 65 and over, with concerns about rising demands on health and social care services.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat health alerts for several regions, warning of a potential increase in health risks, particularly for those aged 65 and over. The agency noted that these alerts, which replace earlier yellow alerts, will remain in effect until 5pm on Wednesday, highlighting anticipated increased demand on health services during the ongoing heatwave.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how the health services will manage the expected rise in demand due to the heat alerts.
Health warning issued as temperatures forecast to exceed 30°C in most regions
The UK is in the midst of a bank holiday heatwave, and forecasters have said the ‘exceptional heat’ is showing no signs of letting up.
The UK saw the hottest day of the year so far on Saturday, when the village of Frittenden, in Kent, hit 30.5°C.
It was the first time this year that the UK had passed 30°C – the last time that happened in May was in 2012.
But temperatures are expected to rise even further today, with highs of 31C predicted in the South East, and even further on Monday, when the mercury could hit 33°C to 34°C.
Records could be broken for the hottest May day in the UK and England, currently 32.8°C; the hottest May day in Wales, currently 30.6°C; as well as the UK and England’s hottest bank holiday.
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Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said there will be ‘plentiful amounts of sunshine for the vast majority’ of people on Sunday, but it looks set to be a damp day in parts of the North West and Scotland.
‘That extra sunshine will once again allow those temperatures to climb even further, and so now we’re expecting to see around 33°C in the far south-east of London, but quite broadly a potential for 30°C into parts of northern England, areas of Wales and right throughout the Midlands as well.
‘If we hit that 33°C, maybe even locally close towards 34°C, that would bring us our hottest bank holiday day on record, as well as our hottest day in May on record, so it really is quite exceptional heat that is building for the time of year.’
How to stay cool in the heatwave
If you can enjoy the weekend by a shaded lake, congratulations.
However, this might not be possible if you’re stuck in a major city or have to hit the road or travel by train.
Reaching for a sip of water in any weather is not a bad idea, but doctors have recommended enjoying one surprising everyday drink in a heatwave.
On the Tube, your best hope is an Underground line with air conditioning, but bringing water along is a top tip for hot weather travel in London.
WTX has this handy guide for heatwave survival 101 shopping essentials, from best handheld fans to cooling pillows.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat health alerts on Friday morning for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the East of England, London and the South East.
The alerts will remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday and replace less severe yellow alerts which were previously issued.
The alerts mean there is likely to be ‘a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions’ and increased demand on all health and social care services, according to the UKHSA website.
Yellow alerts have been issued for the North East and North West, Yorkshire and Humber, and the South West.
The less severe alert means significant impacts on health and social care services are possible.