Met Office issues red weather warning for heat as Brits alerted to danger to life risk
The Met Office has issued a critical red weather warning for large parts of the UK as extreme heat hits the country this week.
Going live at 9am on Wednesday (24 June) until 9pm Thursday (25 June), the weather service warns of a danger to life for those in the geographical areas impacted by the alert. Temperatures will reach 39C under current estimates, with a four-day heatwave hitting the UK this week.
An amber warning began this morning (22 June) at 1am, with weather warning for heat remaining in place until the end of Thursday. It comes after weeks of global worries over a supposed 'Super El Nino' that is on its way, according to NASA.
"An exceptional spell of hot and humid weather is expected across this region, with impacts to the general population highly likely," the Met Office says.
Advert
Explaining the warning, the Met Office says Brits should expect 'adverse health effects experienced... leading to serious illness or danger to life'. Those vulnerable to extreme heat - the elderly, young children, and those with underlying health conditions - are most vulnerable but it is not limited to those.
Where is the red weather warning?
Areas of the UK covered by the red weather warning include London, St Albans, Oxford, Reading, Salisbury, Milton Keynes, and Birmingham.
Also included is Worcester, Gloucester, Bath, Taunton, Cardiff and Swansea.
A wider amber alert also coverts all of southern England, the entirety of Wales, the Midlands, and parts of northern England including Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Blackpool, and Preston.
What else should we expect?
The Met Office warns that 'substantial changes in working practices and daily routines will be required' across the country', adding:
"High risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, with the loss of power and other essential services, such as water, electricity, gas or mobile phone services."
There will also be an 'increased risk of water safety incidents' with 'significantly more people visiting coastal areas, lakes and rivers'.
Also be aware of delays on roads and road closures, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays.
How to keep safe
"Keep yourself safe by following these simple steps to reduce the likelihood of the heat making you feel unwell," the Met Office says.
"Drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am and 3pm when the sun is strongest and close curtains in rooms that face the sun.
"If you are going out take water with you, stay in the shade, wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat."
Regions and local authorities affected by red warning for heat:
East Midlands
- Northamptonshire
East of England
- Bedford
- Cambridgeshire
- Central Bedfordshire
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Luton
- Thurrock
London & South East England
- Bracknell Forest
- Buckinghamshire
- East Sussex
- Greater London
- Hampshire
- Kent
- Milton Keynes
- Oxfordshire
- Reading
- Slough
- Surrey
- West Berkshire
- West Sussex
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Wokingham
South West England
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bristol
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- North Somerset
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands Conurbation
- Worcestershire
Tom Earnshaw