Britain will have its second heatwave of the year from tomorrow with parts of the country put under an amber heat health alert as temperatures soar to 34C.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the alert this morning to cover five regions of England – the East Midlands, South East, South West, East and London .
A yellow health alert has also been issued for the Yorkshire and Humber and West Midlands regions. Both alerts begin at 12pm tomorrow and end at 6pm next Tuesday.
The Government agency has warned that significant impacts are likely across health and social care services, including an increase in demand, during the alert period.
Highs of 27C (81F) today are set to be followed by 28C (88F) tomorrow, 29C (84F) on Saturday, 31C (88F) on Sunday, 34C (93F) on Monday and 31C (88F) on Tuesday.
The UKHSA activated the five-day alert amid concerns that there could be ‘a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions’.
The warning said ‘significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures’ along with ‘increased demand for power exceeding capacity’ and ‘heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services’.
It told of ‘indoor environments overheating, increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings’; and ‘internal temperatures in care settings may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment’.
There could also be ‘issues managing medicines’; ‘staffing issues due to external factors’; and ‘other sectors starting to observe impacts – for example, travel delays’.
The UK’s hottest day of the year so far was recorded last Saturday when Charlwood in Surrey reached 33.2C (91.8F) – but this could be beaten over the coming days.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber and yellow heat health alerts from tomorrow
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different areas.
The UK’s first heatwave of the year began on June 20 in many parts of England. That period also saw the first amber heat-health alert issued since September 2023.
Meanwhile forecasters said thunderstorms could hit parts of the UK today, with rain falling at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset this morning.
More than 200,000 people are descending on the fields of Pilton – with ticket-holders advised to prepare for mainly warm weather, but to also bring waterproofs.
The worst of the stormy weather is predicted in South East England today, but the Met Office also warned significant rain could fall in the North and West.
Mike Silverstone, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘Higher temperatures building over the weekend and into early next week will bring particularly warm, hot or even very hot conditions for some, especially in the southeast and East Anglia and more locally elsewhere in England and east Wales.
‘This in part will be influenced by a heatwave developing across western Europe.
‘By the weekend, an area of high pressure will be intensifying and dominating the UK forecast. Conditions will be hottest in the south and east while areas further north and northwest will be relatively cooler.’
He added: ‘Monday could see temperatures reach around 34°C in some parts, though we will be able to be more precise closer to the time.
‘The heat is most likely to gradually relent from the west on Tuesday and into Wednesday, with a return towards more average temperatures for the second half of next week.’
Warm, humid air is set to linger in the South and East today, with maximum temperatures of 27C (81F) in eastern England.
But temperatures are unlikely to feel ‘quite as muggy’, Met Office presenter and meteorologist Honor Criswick said.
‘For the first part of the day, it is set to be unsettled (with) outbreaks of quite heavy rain at times, particularly across Scotland,’ he said.
‘But it’s fairly fast moving, so by the time we reach the afternoon, particularly from the west, we’re going to see the return of those bright and sunny spells.
‘And behind this area of rain, a much fresher feel to the air as well.’
Tomorrow, forecasters said the unsettled conditions look set to continue.
According to the Met Office, rain could be heavy in the west, while the East of England could remain dry, escaping with some sunny intervals.
Parts of the South and East may also remain very warm, with highs potentially reaching 28C (88F) as the muggy air returns.
Ms Criswick said: ‘For the rest of the week, we do have a ridge of high pressure building to the south, so once again pushing in a return of that warmer air. So, that fresher feeling day as we head into Thursday, it’s going to be quite a brief interlude.
‘And low pressure is never too far behind, so still some rain on the cards to finish off the week and as we head into the weekend.’
So far, June’s average daytime temperatures have been 19.2C (66.6F), slightly above the average of 17.68C (63.8F), according to the Met Office.
The National Pharmacy Association (NCA) has advised patients to store their medicine away from heat zones and direct sunlight, warning that they can lose effectiveness or cause unwanted side effects.
Vice-chairwoman and pharmacist Sukhi Basra said: ‘It’s important we take sensible precautions, including double-checking that your medication is stored correctly in a cool dry place, as per any storage instructions, ideally below 25C, as well drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your homes cool in the hottest hours of the day.
‘We know the hot weather can be more of a challenge for older people or those with certain health conditions and it’s important people check on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours during this period.
‘If anyone has concerns at all about their health or their medication, please speak to your local pharmacy, who will be well placed to help.’
