Latest news with #Weather-HealthAlert
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
UK weather: Urgent health warning in five regions as heatwave hits
High-levels warnings have come into force for five areas as the UK melts amid a 36c heatwave with Brits warned of the "significant impact" from the searing temperatures. London, West Midlands, East Midlands, the South East and East of England are now under a heat health alert as of 9am this morning. It will remain in place until 6pm on Wednesday 13, with a yellow alert now issued for the North West and North East for the same period. The new warning from the UK Health Security Agency says impacts are "likely" across health and social care services as a result, including a potential "rise in deaths". Temperatures are expected to soar into the mid-30s in parts of the UK over the next 24 hours. It comes after a woman, 20, was found dead on bus with 26 iPhones glued to her body. The Met Office warn that the heat will impact the ability of the health sector to deliver services, indoor environments "overheating" in community and care settings, issues managing medicines, staffing issues due to "external factors" such as transport delays and increased demand for power exceeding capacity. Temperatures approached 30C in many parts of the country on Monday, before reaching heatwave criteria in central and southern England by midweek. As deadly heat tears across Europe, Britain are expected to be baked by the summer's fourth heatwave this week. "Temperatures are forecast to rise above 30°C across central and southern parts of the country over the next few days, and generally hot weather is expected across most regions of England," said Dr Paul Coleman, Consultant in Public Health at the UK Health Security Agency. "These kind of temperatures can result in serious health outcomes across the population – particularly in those who are vulnerable, such as the elderly or those with serious health conditions - so it is important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun. "If you have friends, family or neighbours who are vulnerable, it is important to ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice. Check in on them if you can to make sure they know that hot weather is on the way and how to keep themselves safe." UKHSA clarified: "Under the Weather-Health Alert system, an amber alert means that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service. At this level, we may begin to see some health impacts across the wider population. "We may also see an increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.." Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tom Crabtree said: 'Warmth is the focus in the forecast in the first half of this week, with temperatures likely to peak on Tuesday around the mid-30s, but remaining above average in the second half of the week, particularly further to the southeast. 'The exception to the widely warm conditions will be northwest Scotland on Monday, where showers will be more frequent. Warmth will develop there from Tuesday with temperatures peaking in the mid to high 20s.' It comes after firefighters issued an urgent new warning ahead of the upcoming heatwave following a string of outdoor fires caused by "human behaviour". This morning, Scottish Fire and Rescue service group commander Neil MacLennan said a huge blaze on Arthur's Seat in the centre of Edinburgh was "almost certainly sparked by human activity", though the exact cause is yet to be established. And on Friday, London Fire Brigade said they had attended 80 wildfires believed to have been started deliberately so far this summer, while other incidents are thought to resulted from accidental triggers, such as disposable BBQs and discarded cigarettes. Parents are being urged to educate their children on the risks of starting outdoor fires, while park users hoping to enjoy a spot of sunshine have been asked to behave responsibly and take their litter home with them. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Tom Goodall said: 'While some wildfires can occur naturally, particularly during spells of extreme dryness and heat, the majority of these fires can be easily avoided by the public behaving responsibly.
The Star
30-06-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Roundup: Most of England subject to health alert as temperatures soar
LONDON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Large parts of England are under health alerts as a prolonged heatwave continues to grip Britain. On Monday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) extended its amber heat-health alert to more regions, with temperatures peaking at 33 degrees Celsius -- making it hotter than holiday destinations such as Mexico, Barbados, and Jamaica. According to the Met Office, the hot weather is forecast to persist through Monday and Tuesday, with the possibility of temperatures reaching up to 34 or even 35 degrees Celsius in some central and eastern regions. If this occurs, it would mark only the fourth time since the 1930s that June temperatures have exceeded 34 degrees Celsius in Britain, though the all-time June record of 35.6 degrees Celsius set in 1976 is not expected to be broken. "Temperatures are rising further today with low 30 Celsius widely across England," said Paul Gundersen, Met Office chief meteorologist. "These high temperatures and humid conditions will be quite uncomfortable for those working outside as well as people leaving Glastonbury and attending the start of Wimbledon and other outdoor events." Sunday reached 31 degrees Celsius in parts of southeast England, but Tuesday will be even hotter, with highs of 35 degrees Celsius in London and the south east, according to the Met Office. Under the Weather-Health Alert system, an amber alert means that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service. The alert, which has been in effect since Friday, covers large parts of England, and will remain in place until Tuesday. The UKHSA warns that these conditions are likely to impact health and social care services, with increased risks for older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Meanwhile, searing temperatures have been recorded across Europe. Andalucia in southern Spain saw a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while 46.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in the town of Mora in central Portugal on Sunday. Heatwaves and extreme temperatures are becoming more common and deadly due to climate change, experts warn. "We're likely to see more heat-related deaths and broader impacts -- on water supply, transport, and even building usability," said Shona Koren Paterson, director of Global Lives Research Centre at Brunel University of London. She added that mental health effects, such as worsening anxiety and depression, are often overlooked. Akshay Deoras, a research scientist at the University of Reading, said heat domes -- high-pressure systems causing extreme heat -- are being intensified by global warming. "The Earth is warmer than before, making heatwaves more frequent and severe whenever heat domes form," he said.
