The Met Office has today (Monday, July 11) issued an Amber Extreme Heat Warning, as temperatures look to build later this week for much of England and Wales.
It is be in place for Sunday (July 17) however considerations for its extension will be considered over the coming days.
“From Sunday and into Monday, temperatures are likely to be in excess of 35° in the southeast, although the details still remain uncertain,” said Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Rebekah Sherwin.
“Elsewhere, temperatures could be fairly widely above 32° in England and Wales, and in the mid-to-high 20s° further north.”
This is a rare warning, the weather service added, and it means that there will be exceptionally high temperatures possible by both day and night.
Heat-health alert in place for East Midlands and South West
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have also today, issued a Level 3 heat-health alert for the East Midlands and South West regions.
This alert follows the Level 2 alert issued on Friday (July 8) and confirms that the Met Office’s threshold temperature for an alert will be reached in five regions from 9:00a.m on Monday, June 11.
London, the East of England and the South East were placed under a Level 3 alert on Friday. The Yorkshire and Humber, West Midlands and North West regions remain under a Level 2 alert.
The alert is in place until 9:00a.m on Friday (July 15).
Dr. Agostinho Sousa, head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said:
“Heat-health alerts have now been issued to the majority of the country, with temperatures set to remain consistently high throughout the duration of this week.
“Most of us can enjoy the hot weather when it arrives, but it is important to keep yourself hydrated and to find shade where possible when UV rays are strongest, between 11:00a.m and 3:00p.m.
“If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, make sure they are aware of how they can keep themselves protected from the warm weather.’’
For farmers, it is imperative to prepare for this weather for the business too- to ensure there is adequate water, and properly-working water facilities, for grass, crops and animals.
It may be advisable to prepare housing facilities for shade too.
And, farmers must not forget self-protection. Farmers and outdoor workers are exposed to two to three more UV radiation that indoor workers, putting them at higher risk of skin cancer, according to Healthy Ireland.
With that in mind, it is important to wear sunscreen and protective clothing.
