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Heatwave: Met Office upgrades warning for South East Heatwave: Met Office upgrades warning for South East
(about 1 hour later)
The Met Office has upgraded its heatwave warning in parts of the UK, as temperatures are set to rise above 30C (86F).The Met Office has upgraded its heatwave warning in parts of the UK, as temperatures are set to rise above 30C (86F).
It said they could reach "Level 3 Heat-health watch criteria" in London and the South East, requiring healthcare services to help high-risk groups. It said they could reach "Level 3 heat-health watch criteria" in London and the South East, requiring healthcare services to help high-risk groups.
Conditions in other areas of England and Wales may come close to triggering a higher alert but it is less likely.Conditions in other areas of England and Wales may come close to triggering a higher alert but it is less likely.
Much of the UK has been basking in hot weather for more than a week.Much of the UK has been basking in hot weather for more than a week.
While the warm weather has been welcomed by sunbathers, sport watchers and barbecue fans, the heat can be dangerous for the very young, elderly and seriously ill.While the warm weather has been welcomed by sunbathers, sport watchers and barbecue fans, the heat can be dangerous for the very young, elderly and seriously ill.
The "Level 3" amber warning is part of the Heat-health watch system, which is intended to put health, housing, social care and other public bodies on alert in case of a heatwave. The "Level 3" warning is part of the heat-health watch system, which is intended to put health, housing, social care and other public bodies on alert in case of a heatwave.
The trigger temperatures that will see local plans put into action to protect those susceptible to the heat vary depending on where you live.The trigger temperatures that will see local plans put into action to protect those susceptible to the heat vary depending on where you live.
In north-east England it is 28C, in Wales 30C and in London 32C. The night-time trigger temperatures vary from 15C to 18C.In north-east England it is 28C, in Wales 30C and in London 32C. The night-time trigger temperatures vary from 15C to 18C.
Alerts are triggered when threshold temperatures have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day has a greater than 90% confidence level that the day threshold temperature will be met.Alerts are triggered when threshold temperatures have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day has a greater than 90% confidence level that the day threshold temperature will be met.
BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said a heatwave, according to the World Meteorological Organization, occurs when temperatures are five or more degrees above average for at least five days. There have been two previous Level 3 warnings issued so far during this hot spell. Scotland and Northern Ireland are not included in the alert system.
He said the UK was already in a heatwave and the new alert was basically a health warning, telling healthcare professionals to watch out for vulnerable people. BBC weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said a heatwave, according to the World Meteorological Organization, occurred when temperatures were five or more degrees above average for at least five days.
Very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse. He said the UK was already in a heatwave and the new alert was essentially a health warning, telling healthcare professionals to watch out for vulnerable people.
Very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse, according to health officials.
The NHS says the main risks posed by a heatwave are dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.The NHS says the main risks posed by a heatwave are dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
It advises those who are vulnerable to the effects of heat not to go out in the sun between 11:00 and 15:00 - the hottest part of the day. It also recommends that people drink cold drinks regularly.It advises those who are vulnerable to the effects of heat not to go out in the sun between 11:00 and 15:00 - the hottest part of the day. It also recommends that people drink cold drinks regularly.
The hot weather has also brought other problems. Drivers and rail passengers in parts of England faced delays this week, after road surfaces melted and tracks buckled in the heat.
In other developments:
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