Households urged to shut windows and curtains on Saturday as temps rise to 34C
Advice from the UK government urges people to keep curtains and windows closed in the face of a sweltering heatwave which will peak this weekend
Many parts of the UK are set to see skyrocketing temperatures within hours - with an amber heat health alert already being issued.
Saturday, June 21 will see parts of Britain cook in 34C heat in what the Met Office says is the first heatwave conditions of the year.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) releases such colour-coded warnings in the event of hot weather in conjunction with the Met Office, and in this instance, all regions are covered.
It came into force at midday on Thursday and will cease at 9am on Monday, but could be extended if sizzling temperatures are predicted to remain.
What do the alerts mean?
An amber alert shows that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services, and warns there could be "a rise in deaths" among people with pre-existing health conditions and those aged over 65.
It also urges people to check in on elderly and vulnerable neighbours. Such warnings also come with a host of advice which has been curated by the government on how to keep individuals and homes cool.
Keep windows and curtains closed
Among its pointers, it urges people to close any windows or curtains that are facing the sun. The government information says: "Hot weather can make people unwell. It can also make an existing health problem worse."
Experts say keeping windows open, while it may sound like a good idea, can contribute to heating up a room. Keeping them closed, and curtains drawn, can keep the UV rays at bay and the room at a more comfortable temperature. Some even say doing the opposite can lead to a room "heating up like a greenhouse."
It tells people to stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, wear loose clothes, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, drink lots of water, and don't drink too much alcohol. The obvious one is to keep reapplying sun cream with anything over factor 30 being the optimum.
Met Office forecast for this weekend
Today (June 20) is set to see temperatures remain high for many, with thermometers set to record a possible 32C in central England. While the south-west of England could see isolated showers and thunderstorms, the hottest day is set to strike on Saturday.
Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, Dan Holley, said: 'The highest temperatures from this hot spell are forecast for Saturday, with low 30s Celsius fairly widely across England, and up to 34C possible in eastern areas. Despite this, the more uncomfortable heat will be in northern and western areas initially, where despite somewhat lower temperatures the air will be more humid.
'Temperatures will ease from the west on Sunday as fresher air arrives from the Atlantic, although parts of East Anglia and the far southeast of England could still see 28-29C for a time.'
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