What is a heatwave and will the UK have one this week?
With temperatures set to rise this week many parts of the UK are expected to have an 'official' heatwave.While a lot of people would describe an ordinary period of very warm or hot weather as a heatwave', the Met Office - the UK's official weather service - has a very formal set of criteria. It needs locations to reach a particular threshold temperature for at least three consecutive days and that varies from 25C (77F) across the north and west of the UK, to 28C (82.4F) in parts of eastern England.As temperatures rise across the country over the next few days and reach from 25C to in excess of 30C for several days, it's likely that many places will have their first certified heatwave of 2025.
As you can see from the map above the maximum daily temperature in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, northern England and south-west England need to be at 25C or above for at least three days running.This rises to 26C and 27C further into central and eastern England.However, for Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Greater London and Berkshire, the threshold temperature is at 28C.
Heat health warnings
Higher temperatures can have a serious impact on our health, even leading to death in some cases, and so the UK has two types of warnings to try to increase awareness around risks of hot weather.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has a Heat-Health Alert system for England, external.Working with the Met Office, these alerts are a sort of early waring system for health and social care professionals who are in the frontline when it comes to dealing with heat-related health risks, especially for vulnerable people. They aren't aimed at the public but can be freely accessed by anyone. While focus may be on the daily maximum temperatures, a lot of consideration is also given to those overnight which can have important impacts on how our bodies deal with heat.Starting at yellow, the alerts can be escalated to amber or the most severe, red.A yellow alert - the second in 2025 - was issued on Tuesday, external for parts of the England. It runs from the 18 to 22 June.
Extreme heat warnings
The other warning you might hear about are 'extreme heat warnings' which are issued by the the Met Office and aimed at the public.They are part of the wider severe weather warning service and generally issued to highlight the potential effects of heat in order to protect lives and property by helping people to make better decisions and to stay safe.These could be issued anywhere across the UK and follow other warnings with traditional yellow, amber and red levels.A red warning would signify a risk to life, even for healthy and young people with impacts to infrastructure as well.The first time a red extreme heat warning was issued in the UK was during the intense heatwave of 2022 when a new record of 40.3C (104.5F) was recorded in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
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South Wales Guardian
31 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Temperatures could reach 33C this weekend as heatwave set to hit parts of UK
Forecasters are expecting temperatures to climb to a peak of 33C on Sunday in the east of England, approaching the highest ever temperature recorded in June – 35.6C in 1976. And yellow heat-health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for most of England from midday on Wednesday until 6pm on Sunday. The alerts, which means there could be an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, cover Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London, the South East and South West. 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. Temperatures are predicted to reach 27C on Tuesday and Wednesday, 29C on Thursday, 30C by Friday, then 32C on Saturday and peak at 33C on Sunday, the Met Office said. Will any temperature records be broken this week? 🌡️ Here's our Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley: "Today and tomorrow, we could see a maximum temperatures of 27°C in the south of England, and 29°C on Thursday. "The trend for temperatures to rise continues into Friday,… — Met Office (@metoffice) June 17, 2025 And some thundery showers could be seen across the far west on Friday night into Saturday. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: 'Heat is the main story this week, with high pressure building and temperatures rising to heatwave levels in some areas by the weekend. 'Today and tomorrow, we could see maximum temperatures of 27C in the south of England, and 29C on Thursday. 'The trend for temperatures to rise continues into Friday, with a maximum of 30C in central England. With the hot temperatures, we could also see some thundery showers across the far west Friday night into Saturday. 'Widespread very warm conditions are expected on Saturday, with a top temperature of 32C. Sunday looks to see the peak of the very warm spell, with a headline max of 33C possible. This is most likely to be in the east of England, with other areas seeing temperatures into the high 20s to low 30 Celsius. Warm, and perhaps even 'tropical nights' will also be a feature this week. 'At present, the highest temperature ever recorded in June was 35.6C in Southampton in 1976. The warmest day of the year so far was 29.4C on June 13, recorded at Santon Downham in Suffolk. 'High pressure is expected to move away from the UK into early next week resulting in temperatures falling. However, there is uncertainty in how quickly this happens, and the peak temperatures experienced across the UK.' The hotter weather is a 'welcome lift' for the hospitality sector, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said. She said: 'This spell of warm weather will no doubt be a welcome lift for hospitality venues up and down the country, as people look to eat, drink and socialise outdoors. 'Businesses will now be hoping for a strong summer to help counterbalance the significant cost pressures they're contending with. Rain or shine, I'd encourage everyone to get out and support their local hospitality businesses.' Katy Alston, who has been in the ice cream trade for more than 20 years and runs Pinks Parlour near the beach in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, said this week's weather will be 'the difference between night and day' for her business. She said: 'We get so excited because this is what we wait for. 'People who work in ice cream vans are risk takers because you never know when that big yellow ball is going to come out.' Ms Alston said on Tuesday morning she had 84 inquiries from businesses wanting an ice cream van to visit, which is more than the last month. 'We want to go to as many people as we can,' she said. 'We're now making gelato around the clock, as fast as we're making it, we're selling it. 'It's our Christmas time.' Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade has issued a warning over wildfires before the prolonged spell of hot weather and following one of the driest springs on record. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha said: 'For many people, this week will feel like the start of summer with temperatures rising, especially as the sunny weather is expected to continue into the weekend and beyond. 'With hot weather comes the temptation to host BBQs or to head out to one of London's many open spaces to enjoy the sunshine. However, it is important to make sure you are doing so safely. We've had the driest spring in over a century, and the result is a heightened risk of grass fires, while the dry weather also means that fires can spread more easily. 'If you're out in the park or at an open space, please don't take a disposable BBQ with you, make sure that smoking materials are discarded of properly and either dispose of your rubbish in the appropriate bins or take it home with you if none are available. If you're having a BBQ at home, avoid doing so on a balcony and ensure your BBQ is away from flammable materials like fences and sheds. You should also avoid having your BBQ on any decking you may have in your garden. 'We're also urging landowners and local authorities to take action now by creating fire breaks to protect communities from wildfires this summer. This includes cutting back or ploughing grass, especially where it lies close to properties. These fire breaks can help slow down the spread of fire, as well as protecting people and their properties.' The Alzheimer's Society is urging people to check in on friends and family living with dementia to make sure they stay safe during the hot weather. Angelo Makri, senior knowledge officer for wellbeing at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'People should absolutely enjoy the nice weather we're having. However, it's important to note that high temperatures can lead to severe health problems for people with dementia unless they take precautions to keep cool and well-hydrated.'
Scottish Sun
35 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Cricket star's daughter, 21, ‘could have been saved' having visited hospital ‘multiple times', rules inquest
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Read more on sepsis TAKEN TOO SOON Mum, 28, with stomach ache died after hospital staff failed to spot sepsis Her dad Steve had been in Dublin covering the Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland, but due to weather delays, was unable to get back in time to see her before she passed away. An inquest heard ambulance crews struggled to insert a line, failed to call for urgent backup, and didn't alert the hospital to her worsening condition. Bethan was taken to University Hospital Wales in Cardiff, but instead of being rushed into resus, she was taken to the 'majors' unit where medics failed to grasp how sick she was. Only after a high lactate reading - a sign the body isn't getting enough oxygen and could be shutting down - taken an hour later, did senior doctors intervene. 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Sepsis is the body's extreme reaction to an infection, where it starts attacking its own organs and tissues, while pneumonia is a severe lung infection. Crohn's is a lifelong condition whereby parts of the digestive system become inflamed. She had only recently been diagnosed with Crohn's and had been in and out of hospital in the days leading up to her death. 3 Bethan died from a combination of sepsis, pneumonia and Crohn's disease Credit: Wales News Service But sepsis was never picked up. 'Caring' and 'beautiful' Her mother Jane James told the hearing she felt medics repeatedly missed opportunities to treat her daughter. She said: "It's heartbreaking as a mum to know that her life could have been saved." She described Bethan, a journalism student, as a 'caring and beautiful' young woman who would have made a 'brilliant' journalist. 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North Wales Chronicle
40 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Temperatures could reach 33C this weekend as heatwave set to hit parts of UK
Forecasters are expecting temperatures to climb to a peak of 33C on Sunday in the east of England, approaching the highest ever temperature recorded in June – 35.6C in 1976. And yellow heat-health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for most of England from midday on Wednesday until 6pm on Sunday. The alerts, which means there could be an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, cover Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London, the South East and South West. 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. Temperatures are predicted to reach 27C on Tuesday and Wednesday, 29C on Thursday, 30C by Friday, then 32C on Saturday and peak at 33C on Sunday, the Met Office said. Will any temperature records be broken this week? 🌡️ Here's our Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley: "Today and tomorrow, we could see a maximum temperatures of 27°C in the south of England, and 29°C on Thursday. "The trend for temperatures to rise continues into Friday,… — Met Office (@metoffice) June 17, 2025 And some thundery showers could be seen across the far west on Friday night into Saturday. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: 'Heat is the main story this week, with high pressure building and temperatures rising to heatwave levels in some areas by the weekend. 'Today and tomorrow, we could see maximum temperatures of 27C in the south of England, and 29C on Thursday. 'The trend for temperatures to rise continues into Friday, with a maximum of 30C in central England. With the hot temperatures, we could also see some thundery showers across the far west Friday night into Saturday. 'Widespread very warm conditions are expected on Saturday, with a top temperature of 32C. Sunday looks to see the peak of the very warm spell, with a headline max of 33C possible. This is most likely to be in the east of England, with other areas seeing temperatures into the high 20s to low 30 Celsius. Warm, and perhaps even 'tropical nights' will also be a feature this week. 'At present, the highest temperature ever recorded in June was 35.6C in Southampton in 1976. The warmest day of the year so far was 29.4C on June 13, recorded at Santon Downham in Suffolk. 'High pressure is expected to move away from the UK into early next week resulting in temperatures falling. However, there is uncertainty in how quickly this happens, and the peak temperatures experienced across the UK.' The hotter weather is a 'welcome lift' for the hospitality sector, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said. She said: 'This spell of warm weather will no doubt be a welcome lift for hospitality venues up and down the country, as people look to eat, drink and socialise outdoors. 'Businesses will now be hoping for a strong summer to help counterbalance the significant cost pressures they're contending with. Rain or shine, I'd encourage everyone to get out and support their local hospitality businesses.' Katy Alston, who has been in the ice cream trade for more than 20 years and runs Pinks Parlour near the beach in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, said this week's weather will be 'the difference between night and day' for her business. She said: 'We get so excited because this is what we wait for. 'People who work in ice cream vans are risk takers because you never know when that big yellow ball is going to come out.' Ms Alston said on Tuesday morning she had 84 inquiries from businesses wanting an ice cream van to visit, which is more than the last month. 'We want to go to as many people as we can,' she said. 'We're now making gelato around the clock, as fast as we're making it, we're selling it. 'It's our Christmas time.' Meanwhile, the London Fire Brigade has issued a warning over wildfires before the prolonged spell of hot weather and following one of the driest springs on record. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha said: 'For many people, this week will feel like the start of summer with temperatures rising, especially as the sunny weather is expected to continue into the weekend and beyond. 'With hot weather comes the temptation to host BBQs or to head out to one of London's many open spaces to enjoy the sunshine. However, it is important to make sure you are doing so safely. We've had the driest spring in over a century, and the result is a heightened risk of grass fires, while the dry weather also means that fires can spread more easily. 'If you're out in the park or at an open space, please don't take a disposable BBQ with you, make sure that smoking materials are discarded of properly and either dispose of your rubbish in the appropriate bins or take it home with you if none are available. If you're having a BBQ at home, avoid doing so on a balcony and ensure your BBQ is away from flammable materials like fences and sheds. You should also avoid having your BBQ on any decking you may have in your garden. 'We're also urging landowners and local authorities to take action now by creating fire breaks to protect communities from wildfires this summer. This includes cutting back or ploughing grass, especially where it lies close to properties. These fire breaks can help slow down the spread of fire, as well as protecting people and their properties.' The Alzheimer's Society is urging people to check in on friends and family living with dementia to make sure they stay safe during the hot weather. Angelo Makri, senior knowledge officer for wellbeing at Alzheimer's Society, said: 'People should absolutely enjoy the nice weather we're having. However, it's important to note that high temperatures can lead to severe health problems for people with dementia unless they take precautions to keep cool and well-hydrated.'
