The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning across large parts of the UK, including Greater Manchester, as a heatwave is set to bring extreme temperatures next week. Weather experts caution that the heat could reach extremes of 38C across parts of southern England by Wednesday (June 24) or Thursday (June 25). Manchester is forecast to see highs of 34C and 35C on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
Warning Extends to North West
The warning is an extension of an amber alert already issued for southern and eastern regions of England and Wales from Monday (June 22). It takes effect in the North West at midnight on Wednesday, remaining active until 11.59pm on Thursday, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Weather experts caution in the alert: "Hot and humid weather is expected to continue through the middle of the week, with exceptionally warm temperatures both day and night."
Health Risks and Advice
The Met Office stated the severe heat presents a danger of "population-wide adverse health effects", including "potential serious illness or danger to life". Throughout the warning period, residents in affected regions have been advised to implement "substantial changes to working practices and daily routines".
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: "The forecast heatwave is developing into an impactful severe weather event, with record breaking June temperatures and very high humidity. The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies.
"As well as very high daytime temperatures, there will be consecutive nights where temperatures do not drop below 20°C, which is called a Tropical Night. This will make it very hard for people to recover from the daytime heat, exacerbating the heat stress impacts."
Potential Disruptions
The Met Office has also cautioned about potential disruption to power supplies and other vital services, including water, electricity, gas or mobile phone networks during the scorching conditions. Road delays and closures could occur, alongside potential disruptions and cancellations affecting rail and air transport.
Beyond the Met Office alert, health authorities have issued heat-health warnings throughout England. The entire nation falls under these alerts, with amber warnings active across southern regions and yellow warnings covering the North East, North West and Yorkshire and The Humber.
UK Health Security Agency Guidance
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: "Sustained periods of warm weather can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.
"We are urging health and social care services in affected regions to ensure they are prepared, and reminding people to look out for elderly relatives, neighbours, and those with underlying health conditions, making sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.
"Simple steps such as staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool are some of the key ways to help keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather."
Temperatures and Humidity
Throughout the heatwave, temperatures are widely anticipated to surpass 30C, the Met Office confirmed, with the most scorching areas potentially reaching around 38C. During the night, temperatures are unlikely to drop much below the high teens, with some locations remaining above 20C or 21C. These soaring temperatures will also be coupled with high humidity, weather experts added.
Simple Steps to Stay Safe
The Met Office has encouraged people in regions covered by the warning to adopt simple steps throughout this spell: drink plenty of fluids; keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am-3pm when the sun is strongest; close curtains in rooms that face the sun; take water with you if you are going out; stay in the shade; wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat.
Areas Covered by Amber Heat Warning
The full list of areas covered by the amber heat warning includes: East Midlands (Derby, Derbyshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Rutland); East of England (Bedford, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough, Southend-on-Sea, Suffolk, Thurrock); London and South East England (Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Greater London, Hampshire, Kent, Medway, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Reading, Slough, Southampton, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham); North West England (Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Greater Manchester, Halton, Lancashire, Merseyside, Warrington); South West England (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Torbay, Wiltshire); Wales (Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, Wrexham); West Midlands (Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Warwickshire, West Midlands Conurbation, Worcestershire); and Yorkshire and Humber (East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire).
