Yellow heat health warnings have been issued across much of England, with forecasts predicting temperatures could climb to 32°C (90°F) on Tuesday.
The warnings, from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), cover all areas of England except the North East and North West, and are in effect until Wednesday.
The UKHSA has cautioned that the hot weather may have "significant impacts" on the health and social care sectors, particularly in the South East of England and London. The Met Office has also issued a separate yellow alert for thunderstorms later in the week, affecting most of England and parts of Wales.
Potential Health Impacts
The UKHSA warns that the current heatwave could lead to an "observed increase in mortality across the population," particularly among those aged 65 and over or those with existing health conditions. However, impacts may also affect younger age groups.
Temperatures in London and the South East could reach as high as 32°C on Tuesday, with many parts of the country experiencing temperatures four to five degrees above the July average. The hottest day of the year so far was on July 19, when St James's Park in central London recorded 31.9°C.
Is It a Heatwave?
It’s possible that some areas in England may meet the criteria for a heatwave, which is defined as temperatures exceeding the Met Office's temperature threshold for three consecutive days. For London, this threshold is 28°C, while for Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and most of northern and western England, it is 25°C.
If Scotland does not reach 25°C on Tuesday, it will be the first July since 2010 without temperatures reaching this level.
Weather Forecast and Alerts
The dry weather expected for much of the country will likely end on Thursday, when the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms. This alert, which covers most of southern England, the Midlands, parts of Wales, and much of northern England, warns of "lightning, hail, and gusty winds" that could cause disruptions. The warning will be in effect from midnight on Thursday until 11:59 PM.
Following Thursday’s storms, the rest of the month is expected to bring breezy conditions to the North West and drier, brighter weather to the South East. A more settled period is anticipated towards the middle of August. Photo by Funk Dooby, Wikimedia commons.