Heat-health alerts issued by the UKHSA and the Met Office

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The yellow alert issued yesterday by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office has been upgraded to an orange alert in 5 regions:

West Midlands East Midlands East of England South East South West

The decision to move to an amber alert has been taken because of the latest Met Office forecast, which indicates that there is a high likelihood that forecast temperatures will be reached quickly over the weekend in these areas, when we are also likely to see high nighttime temperatures. An orange alert indicates that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the health service, and at this level we can begin to see health impacts across the entire population, not just the most vulnerable.

To date, a yellow alert has also been issued in the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regions of England. London remains at this level. Both alerts remain in place from 9 a.m. on Friday June 9 to 9 a.m. on Monday June 12.

The Met Office also issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for a number of areas from 2pm to 9pm on Saturday.

Previous June 7, 2023 First heat-health alert of the year issued by UKHSA and Met Office

The UK Health Safety Agency and the Met Office have issued the first heat health alert of the year, across 6 regions in England.

The regions included in the yellow alert are:

London East Midlands West Midlands East of England South East South West

The alert is currently in place from 9:00 a.m. on Friday June 9 to 9:00 a.m. on Monday June 12, and if the current forecast temperatures are reached, it is likely that there will be impacts on the health and social services sector.

Under the new HHA system introduced by the UKHSA and the Met Office, a yellow alert means any impact includes increased use of health services by vulnerable populations and increased health risk to people over 65 years of age or people with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease. It is also possible for indoor environments, including health and care facilities, to become very hot.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said:

In the next few days, we will likely experience our first extended stretch of hot weather of the year so far, so it’s important that everyone makes sure to stay hydrated and cool while enjoying the sun.

The temperatures forecast this week will primarily affect people over 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

If you have friends, family or neighbors that you know are more vulnerable to the effects of hot weather, it is important that you monitor them and ensure that they are aware of the forecast and follow the necessary advice.

Here are ways you can protect yourself and others during periods of hot weather:

check on family, friends and neighbors who may be at higher risk of getting sick, and if you are at higher risk ask them to do the same as you know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke heat and what if you or someone else keep them out of the sun during the hottest times of the day, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. if you are going to be doing any physical activity (e.g., swimming exercise or walking the dog), plan to do this during cooler times of the day such as mornings or evenings keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun if you go outside, cover yourself with appropriate clothing such as a suitable hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake

Dan Harris, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said:

Temperatures will rise later this week and over the weekend, with a plume of warm air being drawn in from the south. Temperatures over the weekend could peak around 30C in parts of England and remain well above average overnight throughout the weekend.

Coupled with rising temperatures, there is an increased chance of some potentially heavy and thundery showers, which could cause localized disruption for some from late Friday through the weekend, although it is not possible to be definitive on the exact details so far. of the potential event.

More information

As part of the launch of the Health and Adverse Weather Plan, the UKHSA has updated its hot weather safety guidance.

In early June, our new HHA system in partnership with the Met Office went live. Stay tuned for alerts that have been issued in your area.

Read the UKHSAblog article on safety during periods of extreme weather.

For more information on the common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, visit NHS.UK.

The Met Office has released advice on how to plan for the heat.

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