Amber heat health alert extended as Met Office warns temperatures could hit 35C
A HOT weather health warning has been extended across most of England as temperatures are set to climb to 35C - in one of the hottest June days on record.
Amber heat health alerts for Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East and South West have been in place since June 26.
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They were due to expire by 6pm on Tuesday, but the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) extended them until 9am on Wednesday morning.
A yellow heat health alert has also been extended for the North West.
Health heat alerts are issued by the UKHSA and Met Office when weather conditions are expected to have severe impacts across health and social care services.
This could include a rise in deaths, particularly in people over 65 and those with existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
There are also concerns over an increase in demand on health and care services, and overheated hospitals and care homes.
The alert - the second highest, behind red, on the UKHSA's system - means people should take precautions for their health while enjoying the hot weather, such as staying hydrated and stopping themselves from overheating.
The main risks posed by a very hot weather are dehydration - from not drinking enough water - and overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart of breathing.
The Met predicted temperatures would top 30C across England, including in Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Cambridge.
London and the South East of England are expected to sizzle under highs of 34C.
The current hot weather is forecast to continue through Monday and Tuesday, with the potential for temperatures as high as 35C in some areas.
Cheap hacks to stay cool this summer
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: "The current spell of hot weather is forecast to continue until the middle of this week, with temperatures above 30C likely in most regions of England.
"We are reminding everyone to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.
"Remember that it is very important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable, as the temperatures we are likely to see over the next few days can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions."
Monday is set to be one of the hottest June days ever.
How to stay safe in hot weather
While many people enjoy warmer summer weather, hot weather can cause some people to become unwell through overheating (becoming uncomfortably hot), dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Remember the following tips if you want to stay safe:
Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen
Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake
Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical attention if you cool down within 30 minutes.
If you do not take action to cool down, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke.
Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
Tiredness
Weakness
Feeling faint
Headache
Muscle cramps
Feeling or being sick
Heavy sweating
Intense thirst
Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high.
Common symptoms of heatstroke include:
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and then try to cool them down.
Source: GOV.UK
UK temperatures have only surpassed 34C on three different occasions since 1960.
The hottest June day ever was 35.6C, recorded on June 28, 1976.
It marks the second heatwave for parts of the UK this month, as temperatures topped 32C earlier in June.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, with experts they can become "silent killers" due to their impact on health.
Dr Friederike Otto, associate professor at Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, said: "Heat waves are called the silent killer, for a reason, every year thousands of people in Europe die due to extreme heat, particularly those that live in poorly insulated homes, on busy, polluted roads, and that already have health problems."
The weather in the UK comes as a heatwave grips much of southern Europe.
Professor Richard Allan, from the University of Reading, said the UK was on the edge of a "large dome of heat" over continental Europe which was driving the heat wave, while ocean temperatures were also up to 2C above average to the south-west of the UK and "hotter still in the western Mediterranean".
"The ebb and flow of gigantic atmospheric waves have generated the stable, cloud-free conditions for heat to build up across western Europe," he said, but added that rising greenhouse gas levels due to human activities were making heat waves more intense.
Temperatures have climbed above 40C in countries including Italy, Spain and Greece, with holiday destinations such as Rome, Milan and Naples under the highest heat alert, while Greece is on high wildfire alert.
After Monday's hot conditions, the Met Office said a tropical night may also be on the cards, with temperatures not falling below 20C overnight in some places into Tuesday.
But Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland face a cloudier, cooler day on Monday with some outbreaks of rain moving across Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
Parts of south-east England could hit 35C on Tuesday before some fresher conditions move in from the west through the rest of the week, the Met Office said.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: "Temperatures are rising further today with low 30C widely across England including places like Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Cambridge.
"The highest temperature is expected to be 34C in London and the south east of England.
"These high temperatures and humid conditions will be quite uncomfortable for those working outside as well as people leaving Glastonbury and attending the start of Wimbledon and other outdoor events.
"Stay hydrated and try to keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day," he advised.
The signs of heat exhaustion - and when it becomes heatstroke
Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes.
The signs include:
Tiredness
Dizziness
Headache
Feeling sick or being sick
Excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy or getting a heat rash, but a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown and black skin
Cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
Fast breathing or heartbeat
A high temperature
Being very thirsty
Weakness
Diarrhoea
HEATSTROKE is a medical emergency, so get inside and call 999 for an ambulance.
Stay with the person, who may not be able to help themselves. Try to remove clothes if possible and lie the person down.
Use a cool flannel and sponge them down and use a fan to try and help them lose heat by evaporation.
If they are conscious and able, try to encourage them to drink. If they lose consciousness, put them into the recovery position while you wait for an ambulance.
The NHS says to call 999 for signs of heatstroke that include:
Still being unwell after 30 minutes of resting in a cool place, being cooled and drinking fluids
A very high temperature
Hot skin that's not sweating and might look red (this can be harder to see on brown and black skin)
A fast heartbeat
Fast breathing or shortness of breath
Confusion and lack of coordination
A seizure or fit
Loss of consciousness
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