The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded its yellow heat-health alert to amber as temperatures are set to reach 32C. The new warning comes into force from midday today (Friday, July 11) and will last until 9am on Monday, July 14.
An increased demand on all health and social care services is expected this weekend, along with a rise in deaths among those aged over 65 or with health conditions. In addition to this, the government agency has warned of transport disruption and demand for electricity exceeding capacity throughout the heatwave.
The ‘risk score’ of the heath alert has been upped to 12 out of 16, with the higher number meaning it’s both more likely and expected to have a bigger impact.
An Imperial College London study estimated that 263 people died in London during the heatwave earlier this month.
On Wednesday, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said: “High pressure from the Atlantic will lead to a build in temperatures over the coming days, with heatwave criteria reached by the weekend.
“Whilst temperatures are expected to build day on day, becoming widely hot, they are unlikely to surpass those recorded at the start of the month.
“This heatwave is expected to be longer lived and extend further north and west into a larger part of the UK than previously seen this summer.
“Temperatures are expected to peak over the weekend and ease early next week.
“They are expected to reach 30C in some areas today and exceed 30°C more widely tomorrow (Friday), with peak temperatures on Saturday of 33C possible in parts of England and Wales.”
The Met Office says temperatures will drop to 22C next Wednesday when a cold front sweeps in from the Atlantic. After this, temperatures could rise again with the BBC currently predicting highs of 29C next weekend.
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