UK heatwave 2022: Met Office issues health alert as temperatures to reach 34C
A three-day heat alert has been issued as temperatures are set to rocket to 34C.
The warning covers parts of England from midnight on Friday until midnight on Sunday.
NHS England and the Met Office have issued a level two heat-health alert for the East Midlands, east of England, the southeast and the southwest, meaning there is a 60 per cent chance of heatwave during this period.
A level one warning covers parts of northern England, where the probability of heatwave conditions is 30 per cent, while there is a 40 per cent chance in the West Midlands.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Rudman said: “Temperatures will continue to rise as we go through the week, becoming well above-average by Friday when many parts of the southern half of the UK are likely to exceed 30C and may even reach 34C in some places.”
Key Points
Met Office issues three-day heat alert
Temperature to reach highs of 34C
UK facing ‘record’ heatwaves this summer
How to sleep during a heatwave according to experts
08:40 , Thomas Kingsley
Following a rather damp and windy August, parts of the UK is expected to see temperatures soaring in the week ahead.
The Met Office said people in some areas will bask in sweltering heat and sunshine from Monday to Wednesday, with with temperatures hitting almost 30C. The mercury is expected to exceed the average for September, which is 18C in the UK.
A location meets the UK heatwave threshold when it records a period of at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperature levels which vary across the country.
These include 25C for central England and Wales - where it has been forecast the threshold could be exceeded - and 28C for London and the South East.
Read the full story below:
How to sleep during a heatwave, according to experts
Britons to bask in hottest day of year as Wednesday signals start of heatwave
08:12 , Thomas Kingsley
Britons are set to bask in the hottest day of the year on Wednesday, marking the start of a heatwave with temperatures soaring to 34C later in the week.
The Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have issued a level 2 heat-health alert for a large part of southern and central England, with a level 1 alert in place for northern England.
Temperatures will sizzle from Wednesday, which will see highs of 28C in parts of the South East.
It would make it the hottest day of the year so far, eclipsing the 27.5C set in mid-May at Heathrow.
Read the full story below:
Britons to bask in hottest day of year as Wednesday signals start of heatwave
Watch: Latest Met Office forecast
07:36 , Thomas Kingsley
Dangerous heat wave descends on parts of Midwest and Southern US
06:50 , Aisha Rimi
A dangerous heat wave hit much of the Midwest and South on Tuesday, with temperatures hitting triple digits in Chicago and combining with the humidity to make it feel even hotter there and in other sweltering cities.
More than 100 million people were expected to be affected by midweek and authorities warned residents to stay hydrated, remain indoors when possible and be aware of the health risks of high temperatures.
Strong storms brought heavy rain and damaging wind to many of the affected areas on Monday, and more than 500,000 customers remained without power early Tuesday evening, including more than 350,000 in Ohio, according to https://poweroutage.us/.
Excessive heat warnings are in effect for much of Illinois and Indiana along with parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio from Tuesday through Wednesday night according to the National Weather Service.
Heat index values — which take into account the temperature and relative humidity and indicate how hot it feels outdoors — approached and topped 40C in some locations, including Chicago, the weather service said.
A heat advisory also was issued, stretching from as far north as Wisconsin down to the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf coast.
Northern Arizona watches winds as Western wildfires blaze
05:50 , Aisha Rimi
Calmer winds and cooler temperatures on Tuesday allowed firefighters across the western US to get a better handle on blazes that have forced hundreds of people from their homes.
As red flag warnings expired and winds died down in northern Arizona, firefighters took advantage of the weather changes to attack a 31-square-mile (81-square-kilometer) blaze by air and at the fire’s edges.
The forecast for later this week called for a chance of showers, which could dampen the blaze but might bring the chance of new fires from lightning strikes.
Meanwhile, authorities have downgraded evacuations for the larger of two wildfires burning on the outskirts of Flagstaff, Arizona.
Flooding and mudslides at Yellowstone National Park in the US
04:34 , Aisha Rimi
Visitors were evacuated from parts of Yellowstone National Park on Monday after heavy rain brought flooding and mudslides to the country’s oldest national park.
Roads have been washed out and the park closed after the powerful floods swept through, upending operations in the busy park.
The Yellowstone River in Corwin Springs, Montana surpassed its previous record high water level by at least two feet, according to the US Geological Survey.
My colleague Ethan Freedman has the full story:
What caused the massive flooding and mudslides in Yellowstone?
A week of sunshine expected at Royal Ascot
03:25 , Aisha Rimi
Racegoers have arrived in full force to enjoy a week of sport and fashion at Royal Ascot.
The annual event began on Tuesday 14 June and will go on until Saturday 18 June, during which spectators can expect hot weather.
For Wednesday, the Met Office forecasts: “Dry with light winds and long sunny spells. Becoming very warm or hot inland, though fresher at the coast where sea breezes may develop from late morning. Maximum temperature 28C.”
Throughout the rest of the week until Saturday, the forecaster predicts: “Dry and sunny Thursday. Similar Friday though a risk of showers later. Probably cloudier Saturday with a chance of rain or thunderstorms. Very warm or hot, perhaps very hot Friday.”
London set to be hotter than Costa Rica on Friday
01:25 , Aisha Rimi
Parts of the South East, London and Wales could reach at least 27C and could rise to 34C on Friday, hotter than Portugal, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Canary Islands and Cyprus.
Sunbathers have been warned in advance against “overdoing it” as the temperatures soar.
Craig Snell, a Met Office forecaster, said: “Very high UV levels are expected in the south this week, meaning people should really avoid being in the sun during the midday hours.
“Wearing sunglasses, a shirt, a hat and sunscreen are essential to protect the eyes and skin, and drinking lots of water is important – long exposure to the sun can be dangerous.
“People should avoid overdoing it. We all love the sunny weather, but being sensible can help you avoid a nasty sunburn.”
Area of tropical concern closely monitored in Caribbean
Wednesday 15 June 2022 00:20 , Aisha Rimi
A region of the Caribbean Sea is being closely monitored for signs of tropical development that could unfold later this week into this weekend.
The risk of tropical development has been increasing over the past couple of days.
Satellite imagery showed pockets of clouds and thunderstorms travelling across the western Caribbean.
Possible rain and thunderstorms expected at Glastonbury
Tuesday 14 June 2022 23:19 , Aisha Rimi
Festival-goers attending Glastonbury can expect warm weather during the long weekend between 24 to 26 June. However, the Met Office forecasts possible rain and thunderstorms as well.
The forecaster said: “Temperatures will be average for most, but warmer in the south, with possible thundery conditions bringing potentially hot temperatures for southern regions.
“High pressure is likely to persist and move westwards through this period, bringing more unsettled and occasionally showery conditions across the UK associated with a north-westerly wind.”
UK heatwaves not a cause for celebration
Tuesday 14 June 2022 18:24 , Aisha Rimi
Much of the UK press is breathlessly reporting the nation is set for the ‘hottest summer ever’ with ‘at least five heatwaves’ on the horizon.
News outlets published pictures of bikini-clad beachgoers enjoying the sunshine, and quoted James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, who said: “The overall summer forecast is now pointing towards at least four or five major heatwaves.”
But what many of these joyful news reports fail to mention is that these heatwaves are a direct result of climate change – and could cause sickness and death.
My colleague Samuel Webb has the full story:
UK to face ‘record’ heatwaves this summer as temperatures rise
UKHSA and Met Office issue level 2 heat-health alert
Tuesday 14 June 2022 17:57 , Aisha Rimi
The forecaster has issued a level 2 heat-health alert warning ahead of rising temperatures predicted for later this week.
On the four-level heat-health alert scale designed to help healthcare workers manage through periods of extreme temperatures, level 1 is the lowest warning and is the minimum state of vigilance used during the summer months.
Level 2, called alert and readiness, is triggered as soon there is 60 per cent risk that temperature thresholds will be reached in one or more regions on at least two consecutive days and the intervening night.
Weather forecast until Friday
Tuesday 14 June 2022 16:20 , Matt Mathers
Tonight (Tuesday night): A fine and sunny evening across England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cloudy although rain will ease and clear. Overnight will then be dry and clear but thick cloud will build across Scotland and Northern Ireland and sink southwards into northern England by dawn. Rain for Scotland.
Tomorrow (Wednesday): A dry and bright day across England and Wales with spells of sunshine and variable patchy cloud. There will be thick cloud cover across Scotland and Northern Ireland with patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle, mostly across northern Scotland. Rain will be heavy in the north-west during the evening.
UK Outlook (Thursday and Friday): Sunny spells on Thursday across England and Wales however there will be thick cloud across Scotland and Northern Ireland with heavy rain later. It will be a hot day on Friday with lots of sunshine and blue skies. Northern Scotland will be cloudy with rain which will be locally heavy and persistent.
RSPCA issues warning
Tuesday 14 June 2022 15:50 , Matt Mathers
The RSPCA has issued a warning to pet owners about the incoming heat.
Esme Wheeler, RSPCA dog welfare specialist, said: "The truth is walking dogs in hot weather can be a silent killer.
"While the majority would never leave our dogs in a car on a hot day, or even take our dogs for a really long walk in the heat, many people may still be putting their dogs at risk even on a short walk, or taking them to places such as fields and beaches with little or no shade.
"We have long-campaigned that dogs die in hot cars, but this year we're highlighting that dogs die on hot walks, too. The message remains very simple - never leave a dog in a hot car because 'not long' is too long, and when it comes to walks, 'if in doubt, don't go out."'
Red Cross urges people to keep health in heat
Tuesday 14 June 2022 15:28 , Matt Mathers
The British Red Cross is urging people to stay healthy in the heat.
It is urging them to drink plenty of water over the coming days to keep hydrated.
The mercury could hit 34C later this week.
Are we about to experience a heatwave?
Tuesday 14 June 2022 14:52 , Matt Mathers
Some parts of England could experience a heatwave this week as temperatures hurtle towards 34C.
A heatwave is defined as three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold.
The threshold varies in each county. For Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire it is 28C.
RNLI issues warning as temperatures surge
Tuesday 14 June 2022 14:30 , Matt Mathers
The RNLI has warned people to be careful near water as the weather heats up this week.
Gabbi Batchelor, Water Safety Education Manager at the RNLI said: “With summer arriving and a heatwave forecast, we want to remind everyone to stay safe at the coast.
“It is important that anyone visiting the coast understands the risks of the environment. It can be very unpredictable, particularly during early summer when the risk of cold water shock significantly increases, as air temperatures warm but water temperatures remain dangerously cold.
“If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live: lean back, using your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard.’
The RNLI is also reminding people to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags this summer.
Gabbi adds: “With hot weather forecast, we know lots of people will be heading to the coast. To help stay safe, we’d encourage people to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags. It’s important to remember to swim between those flags because lifeguards put them on the safest stretch of water and patrol this area.”
Temperatures hit 43C in Spain’s hottest spring heatwave in decades
Tuesday 14 June 2022 14:24 , Matt Mathers
Britain is not the only country in the grip of a heatwave - Spain is also experiencing extremely hot conditions.
My colleague Zoe Tidman has the details here:
Temperatures hit 43C in Spain’s hottest spring heatwave in decades
Met Office issues heat alert
Tuesday 14 June 2022 14:22 , Matt Mathers
My colleague Chiara Giordano has all the details of the Met Office heat warning below:
Three day-heat alert issued as Met Office warns of health risk ahead of 34C forecast
Tuesday 14 June 2022 14:21 , Matt Mathers
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of the weather as Britons braces for a heatwave.
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