The Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency have issued amber heat health warnings for five parts of England, set to come into force on Friday. The alerts, which warn that there could be excess deaths because of the heat, cover the South West, South East, London, the East and the East Midlands..
There are also yellow alerts for the West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. The amber alerts, which come into force at 12pm on Friday and last until July 1, read: “Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups.”
The alert warns of a likely increased demand for all health and social care services and the heat affecting the workforce’s ability to deliver services. There is a risk of indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings
Met Office forecasters said parts of the south and east may be very warm, with highs potentially reaching 28C as the muggy air returns.
Met Office presenter and meteorologist Honor Criswick said: “For the rest of the week, we do have a ridge of high pressure building to the south, so once again pushing in a return of that warmer air. So, that fresher feeling day as we head into Thursday, it’s going to be quite a brief interlude.
“And low pressure is never too far behind, so still some rain on the cards to finish off the week and as we head into the weekend.”
