Weather – latest: Health warning escalated as ‘extreme’ heatwave set to make UK hotter than Spain
Temperatures could to climb to a sweltering 30C in parts of England, Met Office says
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The Met Office has issued the first heat alert of the year as parts of the UK are set to be hotter than Ibiza this weekend.
Temperatures are likely to reach a scorching 30C in some parts of England as a yellow heat alert was issued for London, the east and west Midlands, and the east, south-east and south-west.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris said: “Temperatures will rise later this week and into the weekend, with a plume of warm air being drawn in from the south.
“Temperatures over the weekend could peak around 30°C in some parts of England and remain well above average during night-times.”
Despite the hot weather, the Met Office has also issued a thunderstorm warning which is in force from 2pm to 9pm on Saturday and covers cities including Manchester, Cardiff and London.
The Met Office warning says there is a “small chance” that homes and businesses could be flooded as a result of heavy rain.
Thunderstorms this weekend?
Met Office forecaster Alex Deakins runs through the chances of thunderstorms happening this weekend.
Saturday to be warmer than Sunday for most of the UK
Saturday is set to be the warmest day this weekend, according to the Met Office.
See their full tweet here:
Met Office issues yellow warning for thunderstorms amid 30C scorcher
A yellow warning for thunderstorms across swathes of England on Saturday has been issued by the Met Office as temperatures climb towards 30C.
The alert is in force from 2pm to 9pm on Saturday and covers cities including Manchester, Cardiff and London.
Authorities have also issued a warning for heat with temperatures of up to 30C forecast to scorch large parts of the country.
Met Office issues yellow warning for thunderstorms amid 30C scorcher
Parts of the country are predicted to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife this weekend
Overnight temperatures to heat up
Overnight temperatures are set to increase as the weather warms up in the coming days.
Check out the Met Office’s tweet here:
High pollen count means hay fever will continue for weeks, Met Office says
Hay fever sufferers could be facing weeks of itchy eyes and sneezing, the Met office has warned.
High levels of pollen are expected across the Midlands and south of England, as well as in all of Wales and Northern Ireland until Friday, the weather service said.
The forecaster said the north east of England and Scotland will see low levels of pollen.
More people will begin to suffer from hay fever as the tree pollen season ends and transitions into the grass pollen season, the Met Office said.
High pollen count means hay fever will continue for weeks, Met Office says
High pollen levels are expected over the South of England, Wales and Northern Ireland up to Friday, the Met Office said.
How to keep your house cool in a heatwave
The Met Office has predicted the UK will get “a warm plume of air being drawn in from the south” that will bring hotter conditions, and will lead to the first heat-health alert of the year. The UK is expected to see highs of 30C in the coming weeks.
Last year, British records were broken in late July, when the mercury reached highs of 40.3C in some parts of the country.
Dr Mark McCarthy, the head of the Met Office’s National Climate Information Centre, said of those events: “We have seen temperature records tumbling. A new UK national climate temperature record should be a rare occurrence, and we would normally expect a new record to only exceed the previous one by a fraction of a degree.”
UKHSA issues yellow heat health alert
The UK Health Security Agency, which covers the healthcare sector in England, has issued a Yellow Heat Health Alert.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “In the coming days we are likely to experience our first sustained period of hot weather of the year so far, so it’s important that everyone ensures they keep hydrated and cool while enjoying the sun.
“Forecasted temperatures this week will primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
“If you have friends, family or neighbours who you know are more vulnerable to the effects of hot weather, it is important you check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.”
Should I keep my windows closed or open during a heatwave?
It is about to get hot and the UK is set to expect some more favourable weather conditions in the coming weeks.
But as it gets hotter, the nights can sometimes get unbearable.
It can be tempting to open your windows to let in some fresh air when the weather gets too warm – but should you keep them shut instead?
According to NHS advice, curtains should be kept shut to keep sun-facing rooms as shaded as possible.
Read more here:
Should I keep my windows closed or open during a heatwave?
To open, or not to open? That is the question
How to keep your pet cool and healthy during a heatwave
Learning how to cope in the heat can be a struggle, with the beaming rays of the sun, the inescapable humidity and the ever-rising temperatures tough to handle for many.
With the Met Office forecasting a shift in weather patterns in the UK and a “warm plume” of air with highs of 30C heading our way, just imagine how your pet may be feeling.
Domestic animals don’t have the luxury of being able to say when they’re feeling overheated or dehydrated, which is why you need to learn how to keep your pet as safe and healthy as possible during these extreme weather conditions.
Whether you’re a dog person or own a reptile, this is how to look after your pet properly as the heatwave runs its course.
How to keep your pet safe and healthy during a heatwave
Animals can be prone to overheating as temperatures rise
Temperatures to peak at 30C this weekend, Met Office says
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris said: “Temperatures will rise later this week and into the weekend, with a plume of warm air being drawn in from the south.
“Temperatures over the weekend could peak around 30°C in some parts of England and remain well above average during night-times.”
“Coupled with the rise in temperatures is an increase in the likelihood of some potentially heavy and thundery showers, which could bring some localised disruption in the far southwest from as early as late Friday, but more likely more widely into the weekend, though it is not possible to be definitive about exact details this far from the potential event.”
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