A four-day heat health alert has been issued for most of England, starting today, as temperatures are expected to soar up to 31°C in some parts of the country.
The alert, jointly issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, will be in effect from 8am today until 5pm on Thursday, highlighting the increased risk of health issues among older and vulnerable populations.
The heatwave is forecasted to bring significant pressure on healthcare services, with temperatures peaking at 31°C (87°F) and many areas seeing temperatures rise to the mid-20s°C (77°F). Regions including the North West and North East of England, the West of England, the South West, and London are also on alert.
The UKHSA emphasizes the possibility of increased mortality rates, particularly in the 65+ age group, although younger populations may also be affected.
The heat health alert system in England ranges from green (no alert) to red (emergency response), with the current alert at yellow, indicating that a response is required.
Liam Eslick, a meteorologist at the Met Office, forecasts dry weather with plenty of sunny spells and a maximum temperature of 28°C (82°F) on Monday.
By Tuesday, western Scotland and Northern Ireland may experience cloudy and murky conditions, with showers potentially turning thundery in northern England. However, the rest of the country will enjoy more sunshine and temperatures in the mid to high 20s°C.
Wednesday is expected to be the warmest day, with highs reaching 30°C (86°F) in the South East. Temperatures on Thursday will remain widely warm, with some areas potentially hitting 31°C.
This hot spell provides a brief respite from the rainy spring, which saw 32% more rainfall than average in England and Wales, making it the fifth wettest spring on record for England and the eighth for Wales. The heatwave is anticipated to last only until midweek, after which showers, thunderstorms, and persistent rain are expected to return.
Honor Criswick, an operational meteorologist at the Met Office, noted, “As we’re pushing into next week, we’re starting to see the hotter spells, but it is going to be quite brief.” The wet weather that has dominated the season is attributed to systems coming from the Atlantic, with a high-pressure system expected to provide a temporary halt, leading to the current heatwave.
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