A medical chief has urged Londoners to stay out of the heat for four key hours during the upcoming heatwave. Dr Agatha Nortley-Meshe, Medical Director for Primary Care in London, insists we have to stay out of the beating rays between 11am and 3pm.
It comes as both the Met Office and BBC weather experts forecast this Saturday (June 21) to be a scorching 33C. Dr Nortley-Meshe said if we’re not careful, we risk straining the emergency services.
“We are expecting some very hot weather over the weekend, and I would like people, to not only enjoy the sun, but also be safe by taking precautions to keep well and avoid putting pressure on services,” he said. “We advise people to 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.” She added that we should wear plenty of suncream, drink ample water, and resist us Londoners natural urge to sink copious amounts of alcohol in the heat.
But Dr Nortley-Meshe’s words also came with the terrifying warning that scorching temperatures can leave vulnerable people in A&E. She added: “Hot weather can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, lung problems and other diseases. Older people, babies and young children are more likely to be unwell from hot weather because their bodies are less able to regulate temperature. People with underlying medical conditions can also be vulnerable to the effects of hot weather.”
London weather
According to The Met Office, the upcoming weather will be:
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Today (Thursday, June 19) – High 32C Low 18C, sunny.
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Friday, June 20 – H30C L19C, sunny.
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Saturday, June 21 – H33C L17C, sunny.
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Sunday, June 22 – H27C L15C, sunny changing to partly cloudy by nighttime.
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Monday, June 23 – H24C L15C, sunny intervals changing to partly cloudy by nighttime.
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Tuesday, June 24 – H25C L15C, overcast changing to sunny intervals by late morning.
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Wednesday, June 25 – H26C L17C, sunny intervals changing to partly cloudy by nighttime.
How long will it stay hot?
The Met Office’s immediate forecast goes to next Wednesday (June 25), but the BBC’s stretches a week longer, to Wednesday July 2. It forecasts temperatures to range between peaks of 25C and 27C, so although it won’t be ridiculously hot like it will be this weekend, it will be hot enough for Dr Nortley-Meshe’s advice to still apply.
How to deal with heat stroke
Heat exhaustion can manifest itself in a number of ways, including dizziness, tiredness, headache, vomiting, cramps in the limbs or stomach, and fast breathing or heartbeat, says The NHS website . If you or someone else is having hreatstroke, get to a cool place, remove unnecessary clothing, drink a sports drink, or cool water.
If you or someone does not get better within 30 minutes call 999.
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