The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow heat health alert for parts of the country next week as temperatures are set to climb as high as 28C.
The alert covers four areas of England and will be in place from 1am on Wednesday, August 28, to 9am the following day. The East Midlands, East of England, London and the South East and all covered by the alert.
The UKHSA issues health alerts in partnership with the Met Office. A yellow alert means those who are particularly vulnerable to the heat, such as the elderly, may struggle to cope and action may be required in the health and social care sector.
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The alert states: “Minor impacts are probable across the health and social care sector, including: increased use of healthcare services by the vulnerable population; increase in risk of mortality amongst vulnerable individuals and increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm. But these are not expected.”
Temperatures are expected to rise in all parts of the UK next week, with areas in the south and east getting the hottest weather for a short period.
On Wednesday, temperatures up to 28C are forecast in London and surrounding areas. Meanwhile, areas in the north and west will see slightly cooler temperatures, with Manchester reaching highs of 22C.
It comes after a cooler bank holiday weekend for many. The Met Office said there had been “a taste of autumn” as temperatures fell widely into single figures overnight on Saturday ahead of a fresh Sunday morning.
Meteorologist Craig Snell said there will likely be some “heavy and persistent” rain during the rest of the weekend across parts of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England. Some strong winds are also likely in most areas.
By the start of next week, temperatures will start to climb. The Met Office said Monday would be a warmer day than Sunday with “patchy cloud and bright or sunny spells” for most.
On Tuesday there will be heavy rain and strong winds moving into the northwest, but that will ease as it moves eastwards. In the southeast it will be mostly dry before “becoming very warm”. Temperatures are set to peak on Wednesday, with highs of 28C, before dipping again on Thursday and into the weekend.
However, the Met Office has predicted that temperatures are likely to remain warm with high pressure building over the UK leading to a more widely settled period. Forecasters said this high pressure “may persist into early September”.
