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The Met Office said “an exceptional spell of hot and humid weather is expected” across England Wales, “with impacts to the general population highly likely” <\/p>\n
Rare red heat health alerts have been issued for six regions of England as temperatures are expected to reach up to 40C this week. <\/p>\n
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) alerts will run in the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England from 1am on Wednesday June 24 until 11pm on Thursday June 25. <\/p>\n
It is only the second red heat health alert to be issued, after the first in July 2022 when temperatures soared above 40C. <\/p>\n
Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter<\/a> for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. <\/p>\n It follows a Met Office red warning – the highest level of alert issued by the forecaster – meaning there is a risk to life for everyone in the heat, not just those considered vulnerable. <\/p>\n It begins on Wednesday at 9am and ends Thursday 9pm, and covers Birmingham, Salisbury, Swansea and London. <\/p>\n Population-wide “adverse health effects” will be experienced and substantial changes to working practices and daily routines will be required, forecasters said. <\/p>\n A red warning means there is a risk to life for everyone, not just the vulnerable Credit: PA<\/p>\n “It is vitally important that people understand the risk posed by high temperatures like these, and take steps to keep themselves and their friends, families and neighbours safe,” said Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA.<\/p>\n “A red heat health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population, but simple actions like staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool can make a big difference.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s also important to look out for others, especially elderly relatives, neighbours, and those with underlying health conditions, to make sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.”<\/p>\n The Met Office has warned there is likely to be significant disruption to travel due to the heat, and energy supplies, such as water, electricity, gas or mobile phone services, could also be impacted. <\/p>\n How to stay safe in extreme heat<\/p>\n Keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am to 3pm when the sun is the strongest <\/p>\n Close curtains in rooms that face the sun<\/p>\n Drink plenty of fluids and take water with you when travelling <\/p>\n Dress light and choose light fabrics in light colours<\/p>\n Check the temperature of seas and rivers before entering – less than 15C can cause cold water shock<\/p>\n Wear a wetsuit if spending a length of time in the water<\/p>\n People are strongly recommended to keep out of the sun, drink plenty of fluids and avoid exercising between 11am and 3pm when the sun is the strongest. <\/p>\n The Met Office has also warned people to take care when heading to coastal areas, lakes and rivers after multiple people died in water-related incidents<\/a> during the last heatwave at the start of the month. <\/p>\n Forecasters had already warned that temperatures are expected to hit 35C in London<\/a> and 34C in Coventry on Tuesday, with most of southern England predicted to be above 30C. <\/p>\n The amber warning lasts from Monday to Thursday evening, and covers most of southern England and Wales. <\/p>\n The area reaches up to Lincoln and Stoke-on-Trent in the north for the first two days, and Preston, Leeds, Liverpool and Bangor on Wednesday and Thursday. <\/p>\n People are being advised to stay inside between 11am and 3pm Credit: UKHSA<\/p>\n “The forecast heatwave is developing into an impactful severe weather event, with record-breaking June temperatures and very high humidity,” said the Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree. <\/p>\n “The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies.<\/p>\n “As well as very high daytime temperatures, there will be consecutive nights where temperatures do not drop below 20C, which is called a Tropical Night. <\/p>\n “This will make it very hard for people to recover from the daytime heat, exacerbating the heat stress impacts.”<\/p>\n Like UKHSA, the Met Office issued its first ever red warning for heat in July 2022. <\/p>\n People enjoying the warm weather in Potters Fields Park, London Credit: PA<\/p>\n The Royal National Lifeboat Association (RNLA) has urged people to remember that bodies of water will still cold despite the high temperatures. <\/p>\n “Entering it unexpectedly can lead to cold water shock, causing a sudden increase in breathing and heart rate, which may trigger panic,” said Samantha Hughes, the RNLA’s national water safety partner. <\/p>\n \u201cIf you find yourself struggling in the water, remember to Float to Live: tilt your head back so your ears are submerged, relax and control your breathing. <\/p>\n “You may need to gently use your hands to help you stay afloat, and it\u2019s ok if your legs sink\u2014everyone floats differently.”<\/p>\n The British Horseracing Authority has cancelled four fixtures on Wednesday due to the heatwave. <\/p>\n Credit: Met Office<\/p>\n