Yellow alert for England as Met Office predicts heatwave

A cavalry guard passes out during a procession rehearsal on Monday

Credit: Dan Kitwood

A yellow heat health alert has come into force across most of England,with temperatures expected to reach 31C (88F) this week.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office issued the warning,which is in place until Thursday afternoon for all areas except the North East.

Highs of up to 31C have been forecast for this week,and the UKHSA has warned of an “increase in risk of mortality among vulnerable individuals and increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm”.

The RNLI,the National Coastwatch Institution and other emergency services have warned of fatal cold water shock,saying that jumping into water to cool off on a hot day can trigger an involuntary gasp of breath that can lead to drowning.

Liam Eslick,a meteorologist at the Met Office,said Monday would see mostly dry weather with “plenty of sunny spells” and a maximum temperature of 28C.

Warm weather in Richmond,south-west London,on Sunday. High temperatures are expected to continue this week

Credit: Alex Lentati/LNP

On Tuesday,conditions are expected to become cloudy and murky in western Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

Some showers will fall across northern England,and could turn thundery,but the rest of the country will see “more sunshine” and temperatures up in the mid to high 20s Celsius.

Mr Eslick said Wednesday was likely to be the warmest day so far,with highs of 30C in the South East.

Beach-goers enjoy the warm weather at Bournemouth,Dorset,on Sunday

Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA

Thursday is likely to see a breakdown in the weather,with clouds and outbreaks of rain forecast across the country. The meteorologist said there was the possibility of  “the odd thunderstorm for some”.

Temperatures on Thursday are expected to remain “widely warm”,with some areas seeing highs of up to 31C.

Festival-goers at Glastonbury will have to wait a little longer for more clarity on the outlook for the weekend,though conditions are expected to remain unsettled as temperatures drop back to the average for June,likely to be around 18-19C.