Heatwave health threat increased to level three alert ahead of 34C scorcher

16 June 2022, 08:34 | Updated: 16 June 2022, 14:49

A 'level three' health alert has been issued as parts of England prepare to see temperatures as high as 34C tomorrow.

People in the south east are experiencing temperatures of up to 29C today before the hottest day of the year hits tomorrow.

The UK Health Security Agency issued a heat-health alert this week for London, eastern England and the South East.

It raised the level from two to three today due to the hot weather, meaning temperatures could affect the public's health.

Dr Radhika Khosla of the University of Oxford, said: "The health implications of rising temperatures in the UK are serious. "Important physiological changes occur in response to high temperatures including changes in our circulatory, nervous and respiratory systems.

"When these adaptive measures are not enough, the risk of cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular problems increases among older adults, young children, people with chronic conditions, athletes and outdoor workers.

"Severe heat disrupts sleep, impairs cognitive performance and is associated with increased risk of suicide or hospital admission for mental illness."

Roads melted in scorching summertime heat yesterday. A sweltering 28.2C was recorded at Kew Gardens, south-west London, on Wednesday, with forecasters expecting an even higher 29C in London today.

An A-road in Suffolk was closed yesterday after parts of the road surface began to melt in the heat. The A140 was shut between the Stonham Magpie pub in Little Stonham and the junction for Mickfield because of damage caused by the soaring temperature.

Suffolk police said: "The road surface is causing problems for motorists and is unsafe due to the hot weather." The road had reopened today.

The hot spell in parts of Britain is set to build to a "crescendo" on Friday as temperatures are expected to soar to a scorching 34C in south-east England.

Temperatures between 27-30C are expected across most of England and Wales.

The warm flow of weather is coming from Spain and Portugal, where daytime temperatures have exceeded 40C in southern Spain.

Britain's highest recorded June UK temperature was 35.6C at Southampton Mayflower Park in June 1976 - the year of a notorious summer heatwave.

Before Wednesday, this year's hottest day so far was the 27.5C set in mid-May at Heathrow.

On Thursday, there will be patchy rain in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland which will turn heavier for western Scotland in the evening.

The highest temperature Scotland can expect on Thursday will be 22C, while Northern Ireland will struggle to get above 19C.

On Thursday, Wales will potentially see highs of 24C.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: "We have got high pressure at the moment so we are getting a certain amount of natural home-grown heat building up because obviously we have got clear skies and fairly dry ground conditions across southern England.

"We have also got warmer air being brought up from further south in Europe where there has been a major heat incident, particularly in Iberia, so that's leading to the sort of crescendo we will see on Friday.

"Because of the direction of the flow, with the weather pattern we have got set up in our latitude, that is encouraging this warm flow of air to come further north.

"We have got the heat building day by day. The next couple of days will be hotter than the preceding day. We think at the moment, although there is some uncertainty, that the weather temperatures will peak on Friday and then largely we will be in for a cooler day on Saturday.

"Heat may remain potentially into Saturday but for most parts of the UK, because we have got a cold front moving down from further north, we will see temperatures coming back down - but they may just hang on in southern England."

Dr Mark McCarthy, head of the Met Office's National Climate Information Centre, said: "Climate change has increased the average temperature of UK summers, and it is also increasing the likelihood of experiencing more extreme temperatures during hot spells and heatwaves.

"Reaching 34C during June is a rare, but not unprecedented, event in the historical climate records for the UK. But if it should happen this week it would be notable that it would have occurred on three days during the last six Junes."

First aid and health response charity St John Ambulance has issued some tips on coping with the hot weather.

Its medical director, Dr Lynn Thomas, said: "If you're out and about in the sunshine, it's important to make sure you look after yourself by staying hydrated, keeping out of the sun at peak times, and by wearing sunscreen with a minimum SPF30.

"I would also encourage anyone with elderly relatives and neighbours to check in with them, as any increase in temperature can be dangerous."

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: "With the temperature ramping up very rapidly this week, we're expecting a short, sharp spike in breakdowns, especially in central and southern parts of the UK.

"It's important drivers don't get caught out, so we're advising they check their car's oil and coolant levels as soon as they possibly can, particularly if they have a long trip planned in the hottest part of the day.

"Drivers should also stay hydrated, which has been shown to have a positive effect on their concentration levels.

"Passengers should also be kept as cool and comfortable as possible, so carry plenty of water and plan in sufficient breaks to avoid an already hot car becoming even more heated."