The UK Health Security says a rise in deaths among vulnerable groups is ‘likely’ during the heatwave – an amber alert has been issued for all regions of England
The UK Health Security agency has issued an amber heat health alert for all of England – and says a rise in deaths among vulnerable groups is ‘likely’.
The alert has been issued for the North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West until Sunday, with temperatures are expected to rise above 30C above today and reach 34C over the weekend. The UKHSA said the prolonged period of hot weather could lead to “a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions”, and “there may also be impacts on younger age groups.”
Amber is the second highest level of alert under the agency’s warning system, which is run in partnership with the Met Office.
Several areas of England had been under a yellow alert already this week, with the UKHSA upgrading the level this morning.
After the previous warning was issued, Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “Many older and younger people will be looking forward to the warmer weather but, with much of the UK likely to be in heatwave conditions by the coming weekend, some older people will need to take extra care.
A maximum temperature of 32C is forecast today in London, 29C in Manchester, 30C in Cardiff, 20C in Edinburgh and 23C in Belfast.
The Met Office’s national forecast reads: “Cloud and patchy light rain across Scotland will steadily clear northwards.
“Elsewhere dry with sunny spells, but the odd shower possible in the far southwest later. Breezier, especially in the southwest, but still very warm.”
The national forecasting agency has not officially declared an official heatwave, though is expected to do so soon.
In England, a heatwave is regarded three consecutive days where temperatures meet or exceed 26C to 28C.
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