Heatwave set to kill almost 600 people with amber health alerts urgently issued
The hot weather is expected to peak today – Saturday, June 21 – with temperatures of 34°C, below the June record of 35.6°C in 1976.
But people living in London and the West Midlands are most at risk of becoming seriously ill in the extreme heat.
More than 10,000 people died prematurely in summer heatwaves between 2020 and 2024, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The agency has issued amber heat-health alerts across the country, running until 9am on Monday.
Temperatures in hospitals and care homes are also on the rise and may soon be above safe levels.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued nine amber heat health alerts as temperatures peak today at 34°C.
They cover: North East
North West
Yorkshire and The Humber
East Midlands
West Midlands
East of England
London
South East
South West
Dr Agostinho Sousa said: 'We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30°c in many areas.
'Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions.
'It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.'
The London Fire Brigade has also now had to issue a wildfire warning for the capital, with the brigade urging Londoners to take steps to prevent the risk of wildfires spreading. More Trending
There's already been a 15% increase in the number of incidents this year – more than 280 so far – including rescues from strong currents, mud and capsized boats.
Assistant commissioner Pam Oparaocha, said: 'With warm weather and school holidays on the horizon, we want people, especially young people, to enjoy our waterways safely, and that starts with education.
'It's important to know the risks and to familiarise yourself with lifesaving equipment like throwlines, which are available along many of London's waterways.' Close windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
Wear suitable clothing, seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly if going outside
Stay out the sun between 11am and 3pm, the hottest time of the day
Plan outdoor physical activities for cooler times of day like morning and evening
Drink cold drinks – weird but true: milk might hydrate you better than water, Medichecks' Dr Natasha Fernando told Metro
The UKHSA uses four different colours to show how serious the threat from hot weather is: green, yellow, amber and red.
Which colour applies to a particular event depends on two things: its likelihood, and its impact.
For example, an incident with a likelihood of less than 30% and a 'very low' impact will be rated green, while an incident with a likelihood of more than 90% and a 'low' impact will be rated yellow.
An incident is rated amber if its impact is 'medium' and its likelihood is over 60%, or if its impact is 'high' and its likelihood is between 30% and 89%.
The only events rated red are those with a 'high' impact and a likelihood of 90% or more.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
UK heatwave ends as cooler weather and rain returns
Heat health alerts across England have ended following the third heatwave of the year, with fresher and more unsettled weather now setting on Monday will be significantly lower than in recent days, with highs between 18C and 24C for most of the UK. This marks a return to conditions more typical for mid-July after a stretch of unseasonable will be heavy rain in Scotland and frequent showers in Northern Ireland, while the south will remain largely dry, isolated showers are possible. The shift in weather is due to change due to an area of low pressure bringing rain and cool air from the comes after a sweltering three-day stretch in which temperatures soared well above average with 34.7C in Astwood Bank, Worcestershire, on Friday, 33.1C in Cardiff on Saturday and 31.2C in Achnagart in the Scottish Highlands on Sunday. The first hosepipe ban of the year was also introduced in Yorkshire last week, following the warmest June for England and the driest and sunniest spring in over a and yellow heat health alerts, which had been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the entirety of England due to the risk of high temperatures affecting vulnerable groups, expired at 09:00 BST. While most of the UK enjoys some relief from the heat, south-east England will still see warm conditions with highs of up to 28C - however this is below the official heatwave threshold. The cooler pattern is expected to continue into Tuesday and the change in temperature will be more notable with highs between 18 and 21C. There will be heavy rain in parts of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, Wales and northern England. The rain will fragment into showers as it moves into central and south-eastern areas, but most areas will see some ahead, temperatures are forecast to rise again towards the end of the week, particularly in central and south-eastern England. Highs could approach 30C again by Friday or this brief dip in temperatures, the Met Office has issued a warning that spells of extreme weather are becoming increasingly frequent. A new report released on Monday highlights how the UK is breaking temperature and rainfall records more often, attributing the trend to climate hotter, drier summers and wetter, stormier winters, Britain's climate is shifting and the impact is being felt not only in cities, but across the natural world, where species are struggling to adapt.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
When will the hot weather end? Temperatures to change over next few days, plus the exact date for the next 35C scorcher
AFTER days of soaring temperatures and sweltering sunshine, Brits are now asking: when will the hot weather end? Forecasters say a shift in temperatures is on the way, with conditions set to cool slightly over the next few days - but don't pack away the suncream just yet. 2 The next 35C scorcher is already on the horizon - and we've got the exact date it's due to hit. After a sweltering weekend packed with barbecues, ice creams and paddling pools, Britain's third heatwave of the year is finally on the way out. The end of the hot weather may come as a welcome relief to many, after days of blistering sunshine triggered an amber heat health alert across large parts of the UK. Both the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office issued the warning for six regions from Friday through to Monday, as temperatures soared past 30C. The amber alert signals a high risk of serious health impacts, particularly for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. It also warned that NHS and care services were likely to come under increased pressure during the sweltering spell. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also saw their hottest day of the year over the weekend. But now, forecasters say the sizzling spell is set to break, with cooler air moving in and temperatures beginning to drop across much of the UK. The Met Office predicts highs of just 23C in London and 18C in Newcastle - a noticeable dip after the 33C peak in Ross-on-Wye on Saturday. While this current hot spell is expected to break in the coming days - despite parts of the UK topping 30C again on Sunday - weather boffins are warning it might be just a brief breather. The Fourth Heatwave Forecast models suggest a fourth spell of hot weather could be looming, with blistering temperatures set to return later this month. GFS weather charts show a warming trend from July 19, with temperatures potentially soaring to 32C in the South East. Manchester could see highs of 31C, while Birmingham may reach a scorching 32C. In the capital, London is forecast to hit 34C, and Norfolk looks likely to bear the brunt, with temperatures peaking at a blistering 35C. By July 20, the mercury is tipped to reach a scorching 35C, with heat maps glowing dark red as almost the entire country swelters under the blazing sun. The fourth heatwave of the year is expected to last around three days, with forecasters predicting it could wrap up by July 21 - but not before turning the country into a furnace once again. So, while there's some cool relief on the way, Brits might want to keep the fans and factor 50 on standby - summer isn't done with us yet. How to dress in a heatwave SUMMER is finally here with temperatures soaring this weekend, but it has been so long since we dressed for the warmer weather - what should we wear?The Sun's fashion team is here to help with a cut-out-and-keep guide to heatwave attire. Clemmie Fieldsend and Abby McHale reveal the ultimate dos and don'ts so that you never suffer from unsightly tan lines, sweaty patches or wardrobe malfunctions again. Cover up While you might be tempted to put on your skimpiest outfit when the mercury rises above 25C, it has actually been proven that staying covered up can keep you cooler. We're not saying wear your winter coat and wrap up. You should wear a light breathable fabric such as cotton - look for flowy midi skirts, dresses or wide leg trousers which will billow and create a nice cool breeze for you as you walk. Prepare for extremes With our unpredictable weather, it's not uncommon to see either someone in hotpants with goose-pimpled legs after an unexpected downpour, or at the other end of the spectrum, someone still wearing their winter tights in 30C heat. When you're on the fence, opt for a loose co-ord that will keep you cool but not expose you to the elements if it rains. Wear shorts Yes, you can wear shorts - and at any age. The key is getting the length just right and longer shorts are all the rage this year. Short shorts are of course allowed but they won't make you any cooler. If anything, micro-shorts can make you feel hotter. Plus, they are wedgie inducing, often too tight and often show off rather too much bum cheek. Wear white White is not the easiest to keep clean but it is the best shade for a heatwave, and looks effortlessly chic. It doesn't absorb light like black but instead, reflects it. It's also a shade that never goes out of style. If you do get the odd suncream smear on your whites, quickly dab with hand soap and water, rub in with a brush and then wash as normal. Don't show bra straps Whilst everyone wants to wear strappy clothing in the summer, there really is nothing classy about your bra straps being on show - especially when they're the opposite colour to your top. 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If the sun is out, chances are, you'll end up with tragic tan lines like a mosaic. Plus, it's essentially knitwear - hot and itchy. For men, knitted polos have also crept into the fashion fold, masquerading as summer wear but they are made from synthetic materials and induce swear. Wear at your own risk. Climate Change Warning Experts say climate change is turning up the heat - quite literally - with extreme weather events like heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense. A Met Office scientific study into the scorching Summer 2018 heatwave found that the chances of the UK experiencing a summer as hot - or hotter - than 2018 are now just over 1 in 10, and rising. The UK smashed its all-time temperature record on July 19, 2022, when Coningsby in Lincolnshire hit a blistering 40.3C - the first time Britain had ever broken the 40-degree barrier. That same week saw new national records set for Scotland on July 19 and Wales on July 18, underlining the growing climate crisis facing the UK. 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Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Weather maps show exactly when this heatwave will end - but another is coming
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