The UK fourth heatwave weather is set to arrive from Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 35C by Wednesday. Amber heat health alerts begin on Wednesday at 9am for the east and south-east of England and end on Thursday.
Helen Vine, assistant director of the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, said: "Recent episodes of extreme heat have shown how quickly patients can become seriously unwell". She added: "With amber heat health alerts in place, we would urge people to take the risks seriously by staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, limiting alcohol consumption and seeking advice from NHS 111 for non-emergency health concerns."
Met Office heat and rainfall
The Met Office said July has already been 3C above average across the UK, with the country recording more days above 30C than ever before. Southern England has had just 1% of its average July rainfall, while England as a whole has had 5% and the UK 20%.
The health warning is widest in the east and south-east of England, while yellow alerts remain in Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands and south-west regions for the same period. Temperatures are expected to rise from Tuesday, then gradually cool from Thursday.
UK Health Security Agency alerts
The UK Health Security Agency said the heat is likely to have a significant impact on the health of vulnerable people and increase demand on health services. Ambulance and emergency medical teams expect more patients with dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, along with people whose heart and respiratory illnesses are made worse by high temperatures.
The south-east may cool later than other areas. Forecasters say the heatwave is likely to be shortlived, but another hot day could keep that region in official heatwave conditions for longer.
National Fire Chiefs Council warning
On Monday, a spokesperson for the National Fire Chiefs Council urged the public to avoid disposable barbecues in parks, the countryside and other green spaces, and to take care with cigarette butts. The warning follows the evacuation of residents of Nethy Bridge in Scotland at the weekend after a large fire broke out in Cairngorms national park, and the experience of the third heatwave in mid-July, when firefighters were battling 19 significant wildfires simultaneously in England and Wales.
Whether the heatwave will trigger any additional measures beyond the existing alerts and public warnings is not yet stated. For now, the immediate advice is simple: keep cool, reduce exposure during the hottest hours and follow the heat-health guidance while the alerts are active.
