Will there be a UK heatwave? Latest Met Office weather forecast with 30°C temperatures set for this weekend
The first heat health alert of the year has been issued across six regions of England with temperatures set to reach 30°C on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far this weekend.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) declared a yellow heat health alert in London, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East and South West.
Parts of the country are predicted to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife over the weekend as a “plume of warm air” moves in from the south.
The yellow warning means older people and those with underlying conditions could be affected by the hot weather, according to the UKHSA’s new heat health alert system.
Temperatures could reach 30°C on Saturday in parts of England, including the Cambridgeshire area, Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said.
He told i: “Saturday looks like it will be the warmest day [of the year] so far.”
Will there be a UK heatwave
While temperatures are likely to get hot, they may fall a day short of meeting the official heatwave criteria, according to the Met Office.
Mr Partridge said: “It will be very warm this weekend, we are certainly getting some warmer air, and there is potential on Saturday we could see temperatures in the high 20s, possibly the odd one or two places could tip to 30°C on Saturday itself but it’s quite short lived.”
For an official heatwave to be declared there must be three days of 25-28°C temperatures in most parts of the UK and three days of 28°C and over in London and parts of the South East.
Saturday and Sunday would see the hottest temperatures across the country before cooling on Monday, Mr Partridge said.
He added: “In terms of a heatwave there is a possibility, but at the moment there is quite a narrow opportunity for getting it.”
There will be an increased chance of some thundery showers in parts of Devon and Cornwall, and the risk of these thundery outbreaks will spread further north and east throughout the weekend, with the possibility of hail and gusty winds.
What is a yellow heat warning?
The UKHSA said the yellow heat warning could lead to an impact on health services – especially from those aged over 65 and people with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “In the coming days we are likely to experience our first sustained period of hot weather of the year so far, so it’s important that everyone ensures they keep hydrated and cool while enjoying the sun.
“Forecasted temperatures this week will primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases.”
“If you have friends, family or neighbours who you know are more vulnerable it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.
Dr Sousa issued some advice for dealing with the weather, including for people to check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and keeping out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.”
