Latest news with #UKHSA
Metro
34 minutes ago
- Climate
- Metro
Wildfire warning issued for London after city reaches 32°C
A wildfire warning has been issued for London with temperatures expected to reach highs of 33°C. The threat of wildfires is set to grow today and tomorrow while temperatures are highest, according to London Fire Brigade. The brigade is urging Londoners to take steps to prevent the risk of wildfires spreading. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Pat Goulbourne said: 'With temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and the driest spring in over a century, the risk of fires spreading rapidly is high. 'With so many of our open spaces close to homes and livelihoods, it is vital we all play our part to reduce the chance of grass fires breaking out in the first place and to protect our communities from incidents.' Two grass fires broke out in Rainham on Wednesday within just an hour of each other. Often, the most common cause of wildfires is the use of BBQs, particularly disposable ones. Across England and Wales, firefighters have responded to more than 500 wildfires so far this year. BBQs Position your BBQ outdoors, on level ground (not decking) and keep it well away from anything that may catch fire such as sheds, fences, or trees. Avoid distractions from people around you and never leave the BBQ unattended. Avoid drinking alcohol if you are in charge of the BBQ. Keep children, pets and garden games a safe distance from the BBQ. After cooking, make sure the BBQ is cool before moving or cleaning. Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they're hot, they can melt the plastic and start a fire. Keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies. Smoking Discarded smoking materials pose a huge fire risk. If you have had a cigarette, please make sure that it is completely out. Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows. If you are smoking on your balcony, have an ashtray to hand, and don't flick your ashes off the balcony. Rubbish Don't leave bottles or glass in woodland or open spaces – sunlight shining through glass can start fires (take them home and recycle them). Leftover rubbish poses a huge fire risk. People are asked to ensure their rubbish is placed securely inside a bin or to take it home with them. Source: London Fire Brigade Temperatures reached as high as 32°C in Kew, West London, yesterday, and are set to rise even further to 33°C today and over the weekend. The hot weather is expected to peak on Saturday with temperatures of 34°C, below the June record of 35.6°C in 1976. An amber heat-health alert has been issued for all regions in England and is the first amber alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) since September 2023. The amber alert means 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures. More Trending This includes a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions. The Met Office has warned that by this afternoon, a number of areas will have passed the heatwave threshold. A heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25°C to 28°C in different parts of the UK. Dan Stroud from the Met Office 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, 31, 32°C fairly widely, maybe seeing 33°C.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Teen struck by lighting at famed park as freak thunderstorm hit New York City MORE: London's best lidos, ponds and outdoor pools to beat the heatwave MORE: Does drinking alcohol in the sun really get you drunk faster? A doctor shares their verdict
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crowds flock to Brighton as UK issues amber heat alert
STORY: :: People flock to the UK coastal city of Brighton as officials issue an amber heat alert :: June 19, 2025 :: The health agency warned of possible extra risks for those over 65 or with health conditions :: Brighton, England The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have issued an amber heat-health alert, meaning weather with health impacts across wider population. The agency also warned of possible "increase in risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions." Temperatures across the country are expected to rise until the end of the week.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
UK may see record for this year's hottest day broken
The UK is on track to break the record for this year's hottest day for two days running with temperatures forecast to soar up to 33C on Friday. Hot 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 said. Health 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 population. The 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 row. On Thursday, Suffolk became the first place in the UK to officially enter a heatwave after temperatures passed 27C for the third day in a row. Some relief is forecast for Sunday, where the south and east will dip to the high 20s, while temperatures will cool to the mid 20s elsewhere. Despite the record-breaking heat so far this year, temperatures are still below the June peak of 35.6C in 1976. The 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 conditions. The 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 65. Firefighters 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 said. They are urging the public to exercise caution when spending time outdoors in order to prevent further spikes. Tips for staying cool in hot weather Temperatures pass 32C as first UK area enters heatwave
Sky News
4 hours ago
- Climate
- 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
- Climate
- 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.
