Public Health Wales issues 'stay indoors' heatwave advice as amber alert issued in England

Public Health Wales issues 'stay indoors' heatwave advice as amber alert issued in England
The heatwave is forecast to last as temperatures are set to hits highs of 30°C in parts of Wales
People are urged to stay indoors or keep in the shade as much as they can during the heatwave
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
People have been warned to stay indoors in Wales in the hottest part of the day with a heatwave forecast for the next few days. A heatwave is expected to sweep Wales throughout this week heading to the weekend with highs of 30°C in many parts of the country.
Across the border the UK Health Security Agency alongside the Met Office has set an amber alert for England, cautioning that a 'rise in deaths is likely' due to the sweltering temperatures.
‌
The warning concerning extreme heat was made effective from 12pm today, Thursday, and is expected to continue until 9am on Monday June 23. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
‌
The UK is bracing itself for soaring temperatures with forecasts predicting highs of 31°C on Thursday and Friday, which could then escalate to 33°C by Saturday, remaining in the low 30s come Sunday, according to the Met Office. Check the latest reports for the hottest parts of Wales and this weekend's weather here.
The alerts, indicating possible increased demand on healthcare providers among vulnerable groups, apply across all of England. An official heatwave is confirmed when specific regions experience designated temperatures—ranging from 25°C to 28°C depending on location—for three successive days. 29°C.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: 'We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30°C in many areas.
Article continues below
'Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.
'The forecasted high temperatures may also lead to an increasing demand for remote health care services and an impact on the ability of services delivered due to heat effects on the work force.''
Numerous charities are stepping up with guidance as the temperature rises. Among them, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) urges individuals, particularly those with heart conditions, to adopt precautionary measures to sidestep potential health dangers during periods of intense heat.
‌
Senior cardiac nurse at the BHF, Ruth Goss, warned: "You can be at greater risk from the heat if you have a heart condition, as high temperatures can put extra strain on your heart.
"Elderly people and very young children have more difficulty regulating their temperature and so can be more at risk from extreme temperatures. In hot weather, check on your friends and relatives regularly to make sure they are cool and comfortable.
"The most important way you can protect your heart in the heat is to stay cool and keep hydrated."
‌
Age UK has called for people to check on older family members, friends, and neighbours to ensure they're coping with the sweltering conditions. Caroline Abrahams, the charity's director, highlighted the increased dangers during a heatwave: "The heat is expected to build during the week, becoming hottest at the weekend and as temperatures rise, those with long-term health conditions impacting their heart, lungs or kidneys can be at extra risk."
She went on to explain that age makes it more difficult to adjust to extreme heat. "Generally, our bodies find it harder to adapt to more extreme temperatures as we age.
"Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke can all worsen certain conditions, increasing strain on the body, and some medications make us more susceptible to hot weather."
‌
Public Health Wales is also warning people to take care in the heat. It is advising people to stay hydrated by drinking water regularly, apply sunscreen with SPF 30+ and staying in the shade or indoors between 11am and 3pm.
People should also and wear loose, light clothing and keep their homes cool by closing curtains or blinds on windows that get direct sun. ️People are also being asked to check neighbours, older people, babies, and anyone living alone.
Met Office forecast for Wales
Forecasters say it will be dry and hot for many, thunderstorms possible on Saturday.
‌
Thursday evening and Tonight:
Very warm and sunny this evening but turning increasingly hazy and cloudier later. Mainly dry overnight but a few showers are possible in the west, with flashes of lightning possible. Staying warm with gusty easterly winds developing in the southwest. Minimum temperature 17°C.
Friday
‌
Somewhat cloudier than Thursday with isolated showers at first. Otherwise mainly dry with sunny periods developing. Feeling hot in the sunshine though breezier than on Thursday. Very high pollen levels. Maximum temperature 30°C.
Saturday and Sunday
Showers possible more widely on Saturday, these thundery in places, though still sunny periods for many. Fresher on Sunday and Monday with isolated showers and warm sunny spells. Often breezy.
‌
According to Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley, heat will be the "dominant story" around the UK as a whole, with temperatures reaching heatwave levels in certain parts of the UK.
He stated: "Saturday is expected to be the peak of this hot spell, with temperatures fairly widely reaching into the low 30 Celsius across parts of England, with high 20s likely as far north as northern and eastern Scotland. It will also be very warm at night over the weekend, with the potential for a few places to experience a 'tropical night', when temperatures do not drop below 20C."
Some areas in northern and western regions may experience thundery showers on Friday and throughout the weekend. However, towards the end of the weekend and the start of the following week, temperatures are expected to drop due to the arrival of fresher conditions, which might also bring more unsettled weather, as mentioned by the forecaster.
Article continues below

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

4 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Exact date rain to finally bring relief to Brits after sweltering 32C heatwave

After a warm week and weekend, temperatures are set to become cooler next week - and some parts of the country could even experience some rain, according to BBC Weather Forecasters have warned Brits to expect high temperatures over the coming days - and despite Thursday officially becoming the hottest day of the year so far, the record could be broken again this weekend. The Met Office said some eastern areas could see the mercury go up to 34C, while most parts of England will experience temperatures in the low 30s. Due to the ongoing heat, a number of charities including the British Heart Foundation and Age UK have issued warnings about the potential risks to vulnerable people. ‌ And while it looks like warm weather is here to stay for a few more days, some parts of the country could actually experience rain next week, bringing some relief from the heat. According to BBC Weather, on Thursday next week parts of the South East could experience drizzle in the morning. ‌ The forecast also says a gentle breeze will hit from the west and south-west. The Met Office also said "changeable conditions" are expected from the beginning of next week - with some rain or showers likely. The latest long-range forecast from June 24 to July 3 says: "Rather changeable conditions are anticipated through this period, as a series of Atlantic low pressure systems pass largely to the northwest of the UK. These will tend to bring some occasional rain or showers, most frequent in northwestern areas where it may also be rather breezy or windy at times. "Whilst some rain or showers will be possible farther south and east, here longer drier spells are more likely, under the influence of higher pressure. There is also the chance of some occasional very warm weather, as south or southwesterly winds allow brief bursts of hotter air to encroach from the continent, but probably fairly short-lived and perhaps also accompanied by a few thunderstorms at times." But before then, Britain will continue to be warm. Today, highs of 32C are possible in central England, with some isolated showers and thunderstorms hitting western parts of the country. Saturday could be even warmer, with the mercury reaching 34C. ‌ Deputy Chief Meteorologist, 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. "While Saturday will be a dry and fine day for many, a few showers or thunderstorms will be possible across northern and western parts of the UK, with an increasing risk of some intense thunderstorms developing across portions of north Wales, northern England and southern Scotland later in the afternoon and into the evening hours, which could bring heavy downpours, frequent lightning, gusty winds and possibly large hail." The meteorologist said the weather could also stay warm at night, with the possibility of temperatures not falling below 20C in some areas, which could make it hard to sleep. ‌ This kind of weather is described as a "tropical night", Mr Holley added. He said: "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." As warm conditions continue, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an Amber Heat Health Alert for the whole of England. The alert is aimed at the health and social care sector, the responder community, the voluntary and community sector and government departments when adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population. ‌ Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: "We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30C in many areas. Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. "It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun. The forecasted high temperatures may also lead to an increasing demand for remote health care services and an impact on the ability of services delivered due to heat effects on the work force.'" UK 5 day weather forecast This Evening and Tonight: A fine evening but turning cloudier, perhaps with the odd shower in the southwest by daw, most places remaining dry. Very mild and muggy particularly in the west, with a strengthening breeze. Friday: Dry with sunny once again. Chance of an odd shower across northern Scotland and southwest England at times. Breezy along southern and eastern coasts. Feeling very warm, and locally hot. Outlook for Saturday to Monday: Hazy sunshine on Saturday with showers, these thundery in places. Occasional bright spells on Sunday with cloudier skies arriving into Monday. Feeling hot initially but then turning fresher from Sunday.

Sky News

4 hours ago

• Sky News

UK weather: Britons brace for record temperatures again - as hot spell yet to peak

The hottest day of the year could be recorded for the second day in a row as temperatures are set to rise further today, the Met Office has said. After a peak of 32.2C (89.9F) was reached yesterday at Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport in west London - making it the hottest day of the year so far - a new high of 33C (91.4F) is forecast for Friday. It comes as an amber heat alert was issued for all regions of England, with the heat health warnings by the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) remaining in place until 9am on Monday. The amber alert indicates "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. The Met Office said today's temperatures are expected to reach the low 30s and potentially 33C, while a number of areas are forecast to pass the heatwave criteria by the afternoon. A heatwave is officially declared when temperatures exceed a certain level for three days in a row. Thresholds vary from 25C to 28C (77F to 82F) across the UK. Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said: "We're expecting the hot and dry conditions to continue, it does turn a little bit hazier in the west during the course of Friday, we're still expecting temperatures to reach the low 30s, 31C, 32C fairly widely, maybe seeing 33C." Although clouds are expected to move in from the west on Saturday, bringing the possibility of thundery showers in North Wales and northwest England, temperatures could rise further. Peak on Saturday Sky News' weather producer Joanna Robinson said: "Saturday looks to bring the peak of the heat, with large parts of England seeing above 30C. "Somewhere in eastern England could see 34C (93F). If that occurs, it would be only the 6th time the UK has reached 34C in June since 1961." She went on: "Temperatures won't be as high further north and west on Saturday, but humidity levels will be higher making it still feel hot and uncomfortable. "There'll be little relief at night, with some areas perhaps experiencing a tropical night - where temperatures don't fall below 20C. "Sunday will bring cooler and fresher conditions from the west, but south-east England will stay very warm. "Throughout there'll be a good deal of fine weather, but there'll be an increasing chance of thunderstorms this weekend."

BBC News

5 hours ago

• BBC News

UK weather: Temperatures to hit 33C for hottest two days in a row

The UK is on track to break its record for the hottest day of the year for two days running with temperatures forecast to soar up to 33C on and dry conditions are expected to continue with the weather on track to reach the low 30s in many areas, but it could surpass Thursday's record of 32.2C, the Met Office alerts have already been issued across England by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and will remain in place until 09:00 on Monday as it warns of health risks to the wider heatwave could peak on Saturday at a possible high of 34C, with thundery showers forecast for North Wales and northwest England, and dry and hot conditions in the east. According to the Met Office, by Friday afternoon many regions are also expected to pass the heatwave criteria - which means a temperature threshold is sustained for three consecutive days.A heatwave could be declared in London on Friday where it has passed the threshold of 28C for two days in a Thursday, Suffolk became the first place in the UK to officially enter a heatwave after temperatures passed 27C for the third day in a relief is forecast for Sunday, where the south and east will dip to the high 20s, while temperatures will cool to the mid 20s the record-breaking heat so far this year, temperatures are still below the June peak of 35.6C in heat that continues to build is due to an area of high pressure across the UK which draws in hot weather from other parts of Western Europe with windy UKHSA warned of "significant impacts" across health and social care services and a potential rise in deaths particularly among people with health conditions and those aged over have also responded to more than 500 wildfires across England and Wales this year - a 717% surge on the same period in 2024, the National Fire Chiefs Council are urging the public to exercise caution when spending time outdoors in order to prevent further spikes.