The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised its heat health alerts to amber for significant portions of England in anticipation of a heatwave during the upcoming bank holiday weekend. Alert levels have been elevated from yellow to amber for the Midlands, east, and southeast England, with yellow alerts also issued for southwest England and northern regions. These alerts came into effect on Friday morning and are set to last until Wednesday, May 27, at 5 pm.
According to the Met Office, temperatures in southeast England could reach 33C on the bank holiday Monday, potentially surpassing the current May temperature record of 32.8C. The national weather service has cautioned that the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend will experience an unusual period of warmth for May, with a significant heatwave on the horizon.
Areas that have seen an upgrade from yellow to amber alerts include:
Regions that have transitioned from no alerts to yellow alerts are:
A yellow health alert suggests that vulnerable groups may be impacted by the hot weather, while an amber alert indicates potential effects on the broader population or the NHS, with potential travel disruptions.
The UKHSA has highlighted the possibility of increased mortality rates, especially among individuals aged 65 and above or those with underlying health conditions. The surge in temperatures is expected to lead to heightened demand on healthcare services.
With the extended period of high temperatures forecasted, the UKHSA advises the public to stay hydrated, watch out for vulnerable individuals, and take necessary precautions when exposed to the sun.
Steve Kocher, Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, mentioned, “Temperatures will rise over the weekend, particularly in the south, with 30C likely on Saturday and 32C on Sunday. The peak temperatures are anticipated on Monday, reaching 33C in southern England and the Midlands.”
The upcoming Bank Holiday weekend is likely to set new records for May and spring temperatures, with projected temperatures exceeding the existing record of 32.8C. Dry and sunny weather is expected across much of the UK, although Northern Ireland and western Scotland might experience some clouds and showers. Additionally, lower sea surface temperatures could result in coastal areas experiencing low clouds and sea fog.
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