Heatwave 'to kill nearly 600 people' as weekend temps hit 32C, experts warn
Temperatures are set to soar between Thursday to Sunday with some parts of the country expected to reach 34C - but exprets have issued an ugent warning ahead of the heatwave
Researchers fear nearly 600 people could die in England and Wales as temperatures heat up this week.
The last few days have seen Brits hit with sweltering heat blasts reaching well above the average for the time of year, with the southeast blasted with 31C on Thursday and a blistering 32C expected in the area on Saturday. The rest of the nation will see similar but not quite as unbearable extremes between 18C and 28C, with no sign of rain until the following week
Specialists from both the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Imperial College London have warned the extreme heat could reuslt in excess mortality amid searing heats between Thursday and Sunday.
Their study, which drew upon historical UK data, anticipates approximately 570 deaths due to the sweltering conditions spanning over those four days. The projected peak of excess deaths is expected to hit 266 on Saturday, correlating with the fiercest heat.
Specifically, London faces the possibility of the highest excess death toll, with 129 anticipated cases. According to the researchers, their examination underscores the increasingly perilous nature of extreme heat on public health within the UK.
This comes on the heels of a World Weather Attribution (WWA) group analysis made public on Friday, revealing the heatwave's likelihood and intensity has risen substantially, attributed to climate change by estimates of 100 times likelihood and an increase of 2-4C in temperature.
Dr Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, Grantham Institute lecturer at Imperial College London, underscored: "Heatwaves are silent killers – people who lose their lives in them typically have pre-existing health conditions and rarely have heat listed as a contributing cause of death."
He emphasised the urgency of awareness, stating that "This real-time analysis reveals the hidden toll of heatwaves and we want it to help raise the alarm." He warned: "Heatwaves are an underappreciated threat in the UK and they're becoming more dangerous with climate change."
Dr Konstantinoudis has urged the public to heed heat-health warnings this weekend and to keep a watchful eye on the elderly, particularly those who are living by themselves. With predictions of temperatures soaring to 32C in the South East on Saturday, London already felt the sweltering touch hitting the forecasted highs on Thursday.
The team of experts analysed data sourced from existing research assessing the connection between thermal extremes and day-to-day mortality rates for any reason across 34,753 locales in England and Wales. Merging this data with precise weather projections courtesy of Copernicus' climate service, they offered an estimate for the imminent heat-related fatalities.
Their calculations indicate that there could have been 114 additional deaths on Thursday, 152 on Friday, ramping up to 266 on Saturday, and subsiding to 37 on Sunday as the mercury dips to less temperamental mid-20s.
Predictions highlight those over 65 as being the most vulnerable, estimating 488 excess deaths within this demographic, according to the report. However, experts remind us that rising temperatures pose risks to life across all age brackets, with an estimated 82 younger individuals potentially succumbing to the heat.
Furthermore, they caution that this scrutiny might underestimate the impact, given it overlooks how early-season heatwaves can catch populations off guard before they acclimatise to heightened temperatures.
The UK Climate Change Committee has published a startling report, estimating that if the temperature soars by 2C due to unabated fossil fuel combustion, heat-related deaths could skyrocket to over 10,000 annually by 2050.
This week, United Nations experts have sounded the alarm bells, declaring that we're at a do-or-die moment to curb rising temperatures, with only a three-year window to thwart global temps from breaching the critical 1.5C mark.
Professor Antonio Gasparrini from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) weighed in on the subject: "Increases of just a degree or two can be the difference between life and death." He outlined the sobering ripple effects: "Every fraction of a degree of warming will cause more hospital admissions and heat deaths, putting more strain on the NHS."
Assistant Professor Dr Malcolm Mistry, also from LSHTM, highlighted even warm temperatures we might brush off as harmless could actually spell disaster: "Exposure to temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s may not seem dangerous, but they can be fatal, particularly for people aged over 65, infants, pregnant people and those with pre-existing health conditions."
He sent out a dire warning: "Unless effective mitigation and adaptive measures are put in place in the coming years, the risk of large heat-related death events is set to increase in the UK – we have a large ageing population and warming is expected to increase to 2C by 2050 and as high as 3C this century."
Speaking from experience, Dr Lorna Powell, an NHS urgent care doctor based in east London who was not linked to the research, reported: "We are seeing cases of heat-related illnesses rising in our urgent care departments." She indicated the swift progression of such ailments: "Heat exhaustion can quickly trigger more serious illnesses as dehydration sets in and the cardiovascular system becomes overwhelmed."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
'I'm Queen of Clean - use a 35p supermarket buy to get suncream off clothes'
Brits are set to bask in a 38C heatwave, which means we'll all be slapping on the sunscreen – but what happens when it stains your clothes? A cleaning guru has the answer Summer has officially arrived, with the hottest day of the year already recorded at a scorching 32.2C in Kew, west London last Thursday. However, it's not all sunshine and roses as showers are forecasted to drench some regions, bringing nearly half a month's worth of rain to abruptly end the heatwave. Weather maps indicate around 30mm of rain - more than half an average June's total - is set to batter parts of the Midlands, the Home Counties and the East of England on Saturday, 28 June. Despite this, the splendid weather is expected to persist for a bit longer, with Saturday predicted to be the warmest day of the year so far, potentially reaching a staggering 38C in some areas of the East of England. People are even wondering if you can stop working when it gets too hot. Meanwhile, Brits are turning their thoughts towards paddling pools, sprinklers and ice lollies to stay cool, and barbecues for some fun in the sun. Regrettably, this season comes with its own set of stain hazards, from the risk of ketchup or barbecue sauce dripping from our burgers onto our pristine clothes, to the constant application of SPF leaving cream marks, not to mention the heat causing people to leave unsightly sweat stains. Luckily, This Morning cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Queen of Clean, has all the tips and tricks for tackling stubborn stains, ensuring that you can navigate the heatwave looking and feeling clean and fresh. The 15 Minute Clean: The Quickest Way to a Sparkling Home, £14.99, is available on Amazon, currently on offer for £12.29. Suncream can be a real nuisance to remove from clothes and the longer you leave it, the worse it'll become. If you're out and about when the stain happens, Lynsey recommends gently blotting it to absorb as much of the cream as possible. Alternatively, use hand sanitiser to cover the stain - this will prevent it from spreading. If you're away from home at the beach, she advises: "Cover the stain with sand to dry it out. As soon as you can, rinse the stain from the reverse under a cold water tap, to help push it out of the fabric." And in a genius hack she then recommends using a simple supermarket buy to really do the work. White wine vinegar, available in supermarkets including Aldi for just 35p, is just what you need. Lynsey says: "This can help break down the oil base of the suncream - simply cover the stain in the vinegar then leave for 30 minutes." You can also use eucalyptus oil, which she says "has magical stain removal qualities and smells incredible. Coat your stain in the stuff, leave for 15 minutes." Finally, after applying one or the other, wash the garment at the hottest temperature that's safe for the fabric, and check for the stain again before you dry. She finishes: "Once the item has dried you won't get the stain out. So if there is still a trace of the stain repeat this process again. Avoid the tumble dryer because any trace of the stain will become permanent." For anyone who has a mishap at a barbecue, by spilling sauce on their clothes, Lynsey also has the answer. She suggests first scraping off any excess sauce with a blunt knife to prevent it from seeping further into the fabric. She advises: "You should then flip the item inside out and rinse under cold running water to push the sauce out from the back, as this helps lift the stain rather than spread it. Cold water also prevents the stain from setting." But that's not all. You should then turn the garment right-side out, apply a dollop of washing-up liquid directly to the stained area, and pop it in the wash as usual. As Lynsey explains: "Washing-up liquid cuts through the grease and sugar in barbecue sauces."
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
UK heatwave this weekend set to see temperatures soar to 34C though with storms also ahead - as experts warn hundreds could die from 'killer' temperatures
Britain could record its hottest-ever June temperature today - with experts warning hundreds could die from the 'killer' heat. Forecasters predict highs of 34C (93F) in parts of eastern England such as Cambridgeshire, and 30C in the North East. A high of 30.8C (87.4F) was recorded at Heathrow airport yesterday, with forecasters saying there is an outside chance of today's temperature beating the all-time high for the month of 35.6C (96.08F) at London 's Camden Square on June 29, 1957. The sizzling sunshine means levels of ultraviolet radiation are likely to reach high or very high levels, with the humid conditions sparking thunderstorms. It comes as nearly 600 people in England and Wales are predicted to die as a result of this week's heatwave, researchers have found. Experts at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Imperial College London used decades of UK data to predict excess mortality during the hot temperatures from Thursday to Sunday. Their study, released on Saturday, forecasts that around 570 people will die because of the heat over the four days. The excess deaths are estimated to peak at 266 on Saturday when the heat will be at its most intense. London is predicted to have the greatest number of excess deaths with 129. The researchers said their assessment highlights how extreme heat poses a growing threat to public health in the UK. The weekend is here These are the weather details for Saturday ⬇️ — Met Office (@metoffice) June 20, 2025 It follows a World Weather Attribution (WWA) research group study published on Friday which found the heatwave has been made about 100 times more likely and 2-4C hotter due to climate change. Dr Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, lecturer at the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, said: 'Heatwaves are silent killers - people who lose their lives in them typically have pre-existing health conditions and rarely have heat listed as a contributing cause of death. 'This real-time analysis reveals the hidden toll of heatwaves and we want it to help raise the alarm. 'Heatwaves are an underappreciated threat in the UK and they're becoming more dangerous with climate change.' A warning for thunder has been issued from the north Midlands to Northumberland, including north-east Wales, with downpours, hail, lightning and gusty winds predicted from 3pm today – the Summer Solstice – to the early hours of tomorrow. The Met Office warned of 'sudden flooding' which could see communities 'cut off', transport disruption and power cuts. The hot weather is poised to linger in the South and East through the weekend. An amber heat health alert – to warn healthcare providers – lasts until Monday. Elsewhere, temperatures are set to fall from tomorrow to the high teens or low 20s. Saturday is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year That means it will have the highest number of daylight hours in 2025 ☀️ — Met Office (@metoffice) June 20, 2025 Parts of the UK are today set to be hotter than Hawaii, forecast to reach 29C (84F), and Barbados, which should hit 32C (89F). The highest temperature of the year was Thursday's 32.2C (89.96F) at Kew Gardens, south-west London. Computer modelling by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine warns of up to 600 premature deaths during the hot period. Large crowds are expected to gather at Stonehenge for the annual summer solstice early on Saturday morning, with mild temperatures in the high teens expected for those observing the spectacle. Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: 'There are scattered thunderstorms coming through. 'Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while. 'Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues. 'You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded.' An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. The Met Office confirmed that 'many places' in England and 'one or two areas' in Wales, including Cardiff, entered a heatwave on Friday. Aidan McGovern, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'At the moment, the temperatures will be highest towards the east, [with] lower temperatures in the west compared with Friday but still high humidity, so it's going to feel oppressive in many places, and [there is] always a chance of some showers developing as the day progresses, particularly towards the west. 'Temperatures [will be] peaking at 31 to 33, or 34C, somewhere between London and Midlands and north-east England.' There will also be very high UV and pollen levels across the country on Saturday, the forecaster said. Temperatures reached 32.2C in Kew, west London, on Thursday, making it the warmest day of the year so far, while Friday saw highs of 30.8C recorded in both England and Wales. The amber heat-health alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first time since September 2023, is in force until 9am on Monday. It warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions. Following the hot weather, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) urged the public to take heat and water safety seriously. During 2022's heatwave, temperatures rose past 40C, leading to 320 people being treated in hospital. Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: 'Heat is no longer just a holiday perk - it's a growing public health risk. 'We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities. 'Warm weather can also be deceptive when it comes to going for a dip. 'While the air may feel hot, water temperatures often remain dangerously cold, which can lead to cold-water shock, even in summer.'
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Heatwave 'to kill nearly 600 people' as weekend temps hit 32C, experts warn
Temperatures are set to soar between Thursday to Sunday with some parts of the country expected to reach 34C - but exprets have issued an ugent warning ahead of the heatwave Researchers fear nearly 600 people could die in England and Wales as temperatures heat up this week. The last few days have seen Brits hit with sweltering heat blasts reaching well above the average for the time of year, with the southeast blasted with 31C on Thursday and a blistering 32C expected in the area on Saturday. The rest of the nation will see similar but not quite as unbearable extremes between 18C and 28C, with no sign of rain until the following week Specialists from both the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Imperial College London have warned the extreme heat could reuslt in excess mortality amid searing heats between Thursday and Sunday. Their study, which drew upon historical UK data, anticipates approximately 570 deaths due to the sweltering conditions spanning over those four days. The projected peak of excess deaths is expected to hit 266 on Saturday, correlating with the fiercest heat. Specifically, London faces the possibility of the highest excess death toll, with 129 anticipated cases. According to the researchers, their examination underscores the increasingly perilous nature of extreme heat on public health within the UK. This comes on the heels of a World Weather Attribution (WWA) group analysis made public on Friday, revealing the heatwave's likelihood and intensity has risen substantially, attributed to climate change by estimates of 100 times likelihood and an increase of 2-4C in temperature. Dr Garyfallos Konstantinoudis, Grantham Institute lecturer at Imperial College London, underscored: "Heatwaves are silent killers – people who lose their lives in them typically have pre-existing health conditions and rarely have heat listed as a contributing cause of death." He emphasised the urgency of awareness, stating that "This real-time analysis reveals the hidden toll of heatwaves and we want it to help raise the alarm." He warned: "Heatwaves are an underappreciated threat in the UK and they're becoming more dangerous with climate change." Dr Konstantinoudis has urged the public to heed heat-health warnings this weekend and to keep a watchful eye on the elderly, particularly those who are living by themselves. With predictions of temperatures soaring to 32C in the South East on Saturday, London already felt the sweltering touch hitting the forecasted highs on Thursday. The team of experts analysed data sourced from existing research assessing the connection between thermal extremes and day-to-day mortality rates for any reason across 34,753 locales in England and Wales. Merging this data with precise weather projections courtesy of Copernicus' climate service, they offered an estimate for the imminent heat-related fatalities. Their calculations indicate that there could have been 114 additional deaths on Thursday, 152 on Friday, ramping up to 266 on Saturday, and subsiding to 37 on Sunday as the mercury dips to less temperamental mid-20s. Predictions highlight those over 65 as being the most vulnerable, estimating 488 excess deaths within this demographic, according to the report. However, experts remind us that rising temperatures pose risks to life across all age brackets, with an estimated 82 younger individuals potentially succumbing to the heat. Furthermore, they caution that this scrutiny might underestimate the impact, given it overlooks how early-season heatwaves can catch populations off guard before they acclimatise to heightened temperatures. The UK Climate Change Committee has published a startling report, estimating that if the temperature soars by 2C due to unabated fossil fuel combustion, heat-related deaths could skyrocket to over 10,000 annually by 2050. This week, United Nations experts have sounded the alarm bells, declaring that we're at a do-or-die moment to curb rising temperatures, with only a three-year window to thwart global temps from breaching the critical 1.5C mark. Professor Antonio Gasparrini from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) weighed in on the subject: "Increases of just a degree or two can be the difference between life and death." He outlined the sobering ripple effects: "Every fraction of a degree of warming will cause more hospital admissions and heat deaths, putting more strain on the NHS." Assistant Professor Dr Malcolm Mistry, also from LSHTM, highlighted even warm temperatures we might brush off as harmless could actually spell disaster: "Exposure to temperatures in the high 20s or low 30s may not seem dangerous, but they can be fatal, particularly for people aged over 65, infants, pregnant people and those with pre-existing health conditions." He sent out a dire warning: "Unless effective mitigation and adaptive measures are put in place in the coming years, the risk of large heat-related death events is set to increase in the UK – we have a large ageing population and warming is expected to increase to 2C by 2050 and as high as 3C this century." Speaking from experience, Dr Lorna Powell, an NHS urgent care doctor based in east London who was not linked to the research, reported: "We are seeing cases of heat-related illnesses rising in our urgent care departments." She indicated the swift progression of such ailments: "Heat exhaustion can quickly trigger more serious illnesses as dehydration sets in and the cardiovascular system becomes overwhelmed."
