This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23355833

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Heatwave warnings extended in England Heatwave warnings extended in England
(35 minutes later)
The heatwave warning has been raised to "level three" by the Met Office for south-west England and the West Midlands.The heatwave warning has been raised to "level three" by the Met Office for south-west England and the West Midlands.
The move brings those regions in line with the South East and London, where level three warnings remain in place.The move brings those regions in line with the South East and London, where level three warnings remain in place.
The warning alerts healthcare services to help those in high-risk groups such as the elderly and young children.The warning alerts healthcare services to help those in high-risk groups such as the elderly and young children.
Wednesday was the hottest day of the year, with 32.2C recorded at Hampton Water Works in south-west London.Wednesday was the hottest day of the year, with 32.2C recorded at Hampton Water Works in south-west London.
South-west England was issued a similar warning last week, alongside Yorkshire and the Humber - where temperatures have eased to allow a level two warning. Level three 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 again 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 again be met. The threshold temperature for south-west England and the West Midlands is 30C, while for the South East and London it is 31C and 32C respectively.
The threshold temperature for south-west England and the West Midlands is 30C, while for the South East and London it rises to 31C and 32C respectively. Level two warnings are currently in place for the east of England, East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. These alerts are triggered by a 60% or higher chance of the threshold temperature again being reached on the second day.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are not included in the alert system. North-east and north-west England are under a level one warning - the minimum state of vigilance.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not included in the alert system.
It is the UK's first prolonged heatwave since 2006, with six consecutive days of temperatures above 30C (86F).It is the UK's first prolonged heatwave since 2006, with six consecutive days of temperatures above 30C (86F).
Set to continue 'Take action'
The warm weather is set to continue into next week with temperatures in the high 20Cs at the weekend before rising to 30C and beyond next week - bringing with it an increased risk of thunderstorms.The warm weather is set to continue into next week with temperatures in the high 20Cs at the weekend before rising to 30C and beyond next week - bringing with it an increased risk of thunderstorms.
Public Health England (PHE) officials have advised people to stay cool, drink lots of cold fluids and keep an eye on those they know to be at risk.Public Health England (PHE) officials have advised people to stay cool, drink lots of cold fluids and keep an eye on those they know to be at risk.
Dr Angie Bone, heatwave plan leader for PHE, said: "In this continued hot weather, it's important to remember that high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses. Professor Virginia Murray, head of extreme events at PHE, said: "A level three watch means take action. For us, summer is wonderful... but the real concern is that we are not used to heat in this country. We are not aware of the risks. So PHE has a heatwave plan for England which was published for this summer."
"During very hot weather, pregnant women and people who have chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal conditions, diabetes or Parkinson's disease, may experience discomfort if indoor temperatures are particularly hot and in using public transport. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the plan was particularly targeted at healthcare providers, though there was advice for individuals.
"Employers should ensure indoor areas are kept cool and consider allowing these individuals to travel to or from their place of work during cooler, or less busy, times of the day. For those working or exercising outdoors, strenuous physical exertion during the hottest part of the day should be kept to a minimum." She said: "The most important advice is to stay cool yourself, drink plenty of cool drinks - but look out for others, take care of the most vulnerable, take care of those who are very young, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses who may be particularly vulnerable to the heat and really to protect those as far as we can and to make sure we reduce the health impacts on them and the possible worrying level of increased deaths."
Prof Murray warned that many people would be reluctant to change their behaviour in response to the warm weather, which is why guidance for care homes was important.
Warning signsWarning signs
Mike Tipton, professor of human physiology at the University of Portsmouth, told BBC Radio 5live that the warning signs should be evident. Mike Tipton, professor of human physiology at the University of Portsmouth, told BBC Radio 5live that signs that someone is suffering as a result of the heat should be evident.
He said: "As soon as people start to feel anything like light-headedness, feel that they're hyperventilating, if they've got a very rapid pulse, if they start to feel pins and needles in the fingers and around the limbs, slightly nauseous maybe, headaches, then really they need to stop any activity they're engaged in, move to the shade, sit down or lay down, preferably get help as well."He said: "As soon as people start to feel anything like light-headedness, feel that they're hyperventilating, if they've got a very rapid pulse, if they start to feel pins and needles in the fingers and around the limbs, slightly nauseous maybe, headaches, then really they need to stop any activity they're engaged in, move to the shade, sit down or lay down, preferably get help as well."
Jonathan McShane, from the Local Government Association, says councils are doing their bit to tend to those who may need extra assistance. Jonathan McShane, from the Local Government Association, said councils are doing their bit to tend to those who may need extra assistance.
On 5live, he said: "Social workers, care workers, people who deliver 'meals on wheels', as part of their daily routine they're now doing an additional check to ensure that people are coping in the heat and they're staying hydrated and giving them some advice about how they can stay well and comfortable in the extreme weather."On 5live, he said: "Social workers, care workers, people who deliver 'meals on wheels', as part of their daily routine they're now doing an additional check to ensure that people are coping in the heat and they're staying hydrated and giving them some advice about how they can stay well and comfortable in the extreme weather."
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions