Some parts of the UK take a service from the Met Office in-conjunction with their NHS bodies and issue Heatwave/ Heat Health advice and warnings. This week brings muggy warmth and heat to many parts, so stay hydrated.
Update Wednesday 1st July - hottest day of the year so far
Current watch level: Level 3 - Heatwave Action Issued at: 0947 on Wed 1 Jul 2015. This stage requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups
There is a 90 % probability of heatwave conditions between 0700 on Wednesday and 0900 on Thursday across most of England.
Monday 29th July
The current hot spell will peak through the next 24 hours. Afternoon temperatures in the London area will reach the mid 30's Celsius. Slightly cooler in the far west, these conditions edging slowly eastwards accompanied by some thunderstorms.
The Met Office operates a heat-health watch system and issues alerts in association with Public Health England. The NHS in Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland do not take the service. Temperatures in Scotland and N.Ireland don’t reach 30C as often and parts of England see issues with increased hospital admissions when the temperatures stay up day after day
“There are four levels of response based upon threshold maximum daytime and minimum night-time temperatures. These thresholds vary by region in England, but an average threshold temperature is 30C by day and 15C overnight. “
Still other areas will feel a change in the weather, with muggy heat and strong sunshine which could still cause problems for individuals. Hill walkers, leisure sailers and climbers need to be aware of heat stroke symptoms and also the elderly.
The main advice is to drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated. If travelling by public transport, especially underground take a bottle of water with you. Alcohol can enhance dehydration. Even if you don’t feel hungry, still eating replenishes salt in your body and salads and fruit add water. The warm, close nights can make any lengthy hot spell uncomfortable with lack of sleep being a down side to the summery weather.
Sunburn is another issue, with people venturing out more and for longer. Remember the advice to make sure you use sun cream of at least SP factor 15, (check the UV stars too) or above if you or your family are going to be outside. During the hottest parts of the day try to stay in the shade, especially if you have young children or care for elderly relatives and wear a hat
This week (end June 2015) there is already level 2 in place Yellow, alert and readiness that Tuesday and particularly Wednesday 1st July will be hot days for parts of England, maybe Friday 3rd.. From Met Office/NHS England Sunday 28th “There is an 80 % probability of heatwave conditions between 1200 on Tuesday and 0600 on Thursday in parts of England.” Level 3 is triggered when one day reaches the threshold temps, Amber -Heatwave Action – so put into action the advice above. Level 4 doesn’t occur very often and is a national emergency when the heatwave is prolonged and severe and its effects are being felt outside of the usual high risk groups – like summer 1976
NHS and Met Office Heat-Health alert explanation and updates
