UK weather: Heat-health alerts as temperatures to near heatwave (2024)

Published

23 June 2024

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Yellow heat health alerts are in place for most of England this week, as daytime temperatures look set to reach 30C (86F).

The alerts from the UK Health Security Agency, external (UKHSA) will remain in place in eight regions until 17:00 on Thursday.

A yellow alert indicates that weather conditions could pose a risk to those who are particularly vulnerable.

The UKHSA says minor impacts are probable across the health and social care sector.

The next few days are expected to bring the highest temperatures of the summer so far, as warm air surges northwards across the UK.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to see their warmest weather on Monday, with highs of 24 to 26C, perhaps even 27C in eastern Scotland, before cloudier and cooler weather arrives from the west on Tuesday.

But in England and Wales the heat is expected to be longer-lasting.

Midweek temperatures of 29 or 30C are likely in the South East of England - accompanied by plenty of strong sunshine - and highs of 25C in parts of Wales.

It is possible that some areas might reach the Met Office’s official heatwave criteria. The nights will also be warmer and more humid than we have been used to lately.

Hay fever sufferers may also notice that pollen levels will be very high for most of the UK for the next few days.

The weather is expected to turn cooler and wetter during the second half of the week but there is considerable uncertainty about how quickly that change will take place.

Run by the UKHSA and the Met Office, the weather health alert system was introduced in June 2023. The service covers England only.

The weather alerts are available to those who've registered, external, and are sent by email.

Heat health alerts are typically issued between 1 June and 30 September, and cold health alerts between 1 November and 30 March.

The system issues alerts to members of the public, and sends guidance directly to NHS England, the government and other healthcare professionals during periods of adverse weather.

Alerts are categorised according to severity and include:

The system was designed to help reduce illness and deaths by improving communication between the public and relevant bodies during periods of extreme weather.

Heat health alerts are different to Met Office weather warnings - categorised red, amber and yellow - which are issued in cases of extreme heat, as well as rain, wind, snow, ice, fog, thunderstorm and lightning.

Yellow heat health alerts have been active since 08:00 on Monday 24 June in all but one region of England:

The North East is not affected.

The alerts will remain in place until 17:00 on Thursday 27 June.

The weather is expected to turn cooler, cloudier and wetter by the end of the week, but the Met Office says there is uncertainty about how quickly that change will take place.

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The first half of this week will see rising heat and humidity. Things will turn a little fresher from Thursday afternoon as a weak weather front brings a bit more cloud and possibly some light rain.

Temperatures into the weekend will be fairly pleasant at around 19 to 21C.

There will be plenty of spells of sunshine. There is a small chance of a few passing showers but they look likely to be few and far between.

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