‘Rise in deaths’ warning as pressing amber alert issued for 5 UK areas forward of scorcher
According to the UKHSA website, an amber heat health alert means there is likely to be ‘a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions’
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat (Image: PA)
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat health alert meaning significant impacts are likely across health and care services. The alerts are in place from 2pm on Friday until 5pm next Wednesday and replace less severe yellow alerts which were previously in place.
According to the UKHSA website, an amber heat health alert means there is likely to be “a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions” and increased demand on all health and social care services.
New yellow alerts have been issued for the North East and North West of England, Yorkshire and Humber and the South West of England. The less severe alert means significant impacts on health and social care services are possible.
It comes as the UK is predicted to experience its warmest May day ever recorded during the bank holiday weekend, with sections of the nation set to be hotter than Barbados.
Temperatures are predicted to hit 33C across southern England and the Midlands on Monday – surpassing the UK’s existing May temperature record of 32.8C.
Peaks of 28C are anticipated across parts of south-east England on Friday before soaring above 30C throughout vast areas of England and Wales in the subsequent days.
This means numerous regions will also be warmer than leading European holiday destinations including Mykonos, Marbella and Benidorm.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Steve Kocher, said: “It is likely that the May and spring UK temperature records will be broken over the bank holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8C.”
Areas of Scotland and Northern Ireland are predicted to witness temperatures climbing to the mid-20s by next week. A UK heatwave is officially logged when a region experiences at least three consecutive days of temperatures that meet or exceed the area’s heatwave threshold.
The standing May temperature record is 32.8C, documented in Camden Square, London, back in 1922.
The hottest day recorded in the UK this year was a balmy 26.6C at Kew Gardens in south-west London in April.
