Latest news with #Welsh
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- Climate
- North Wales Chronicle
UK could record another warmest day of year as temperatures up to 33C forecast
Temperatures reached as high as 32.2C in Kew, west London, on Thursday, amid an amber heat-health alert for all regions in England. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first time since September 2023, is in force until 9am on Monday. It warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions. Friday is set to be another hot day, but what else is on the cards? Find out in the latest 4cast 👇 — Met Office (@metoffice) June 19, 2025 Meanwhile, temperatures are forecast to reach the low 30s and could potentially hit 33C on Friday, the Met Office said. And by Friday afternoon a number of areas are expected to have passed the heatwave criteria, Met Office weather forecaster Dan Stroud said. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Mr 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.' Increasing amounts of cloud will move in from the west on Saturday, with a chance of showers, some which could be thundery in North Wales and north-west England, while eastern areas will see another dry and hot day, he added. Temperatures will be in the low 30s, and probably be the peak of the hot spell on Saturday, as 34C is possible, still below the June record of 35.6C in 1976. Sunday will be another very warm day in the south and east probably in the late 20s, elsewhere it will be cooler, with temperatures in the mid 20s, Mr Stroud said. It comes after a warning has been issued as firefighters have responded to more than 500 wildfires across England and Wales this year so far. As of Thursday, 564 wildfire incidents have been responded to by English and Welsh fire and rescue services so far this year, which is a 717% increase on the same period in 2024, and more than double the number seen in 2022 which went on to be the worst year on record for wildfires, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said. The NFCC is now urging caution among members of the public when enjoying the outdoors in a bid to prevent further spikes in incidents.
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- Climate
- South Wales Guardian
UK could record another warmest day of year as temperatures up to 33C forecast
Temperatures reached as high as 32.2C in Kew, west London, on Thursday, amid an amber heat-health alert for all regions in England. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the first time since September 2023, is in force until 9am on Monday. It warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions. Friday is set to be another hot day, but what else is on the cards? Find out in the latest 4cast 👇 — Met Office (@metoffice) June 19, 2025 Meanwhile, temperatures are forecast to reach the low 30s and could potentially hit 33C on Friday, the Met Office said. And by Friday afternoon a number of areas are expected to have passed the heatwave criteria, Met Office weather forecaster Dan Stroud said. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Mr 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.' Increasing amounts of cloud will move in from the west on Saturday, with a chance of showers, some which could be thundery in North Wales and north-west England, while eastern areas will see another dry and hot day, he added. Temperatures will be in the low 30s, and probably be the peak of the hot spell on Saturday, as 34C is possible, still below the June record of 35.6C in 1976. Sunday will be another very warm day in the south and east probably in the late 20s, elsewhere it will be cooler, with temperatures in the mid 20s, Mr Stroud said. It comes after a warning has been issued as firefighters have responded to more than 500 wildfires across England and Wales this year so far. As of Thursday, 564 wildfire incidents have been responded to by English and Welsh fire and rescue services so far this year, which is a 717% increase on the same period in 2024, and more than double the number seen in 2022 which went on to be the worst year on record for wildfires, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said. The NFCC is now urging caution among members of the public when enjoying the outdoors in a bid to prevent further spikes in incidents.
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Senedd members lambast bluetongue response as 'total chaos'
Samuel Kurtz, who is from a farming family, expressed deep concern about the Welsh Government's handling of the disease, saying it 'falls far short of what farmers deserve'. The Conservatives' economy secretary said Senedd members received no briefing from the deputy first minister nor the chief veterinary office on the science behind the decision. Mr Kurtz warned: 'There has been no economic impact assessment despite the far-reaching consequences for our rural community. 'And perhaps most troubling of all, the decision was issued via a written statement on a Thursday afternoon – just after the Senedd week had ended, ensuring no scrutiny, no questions and no answers until today.' He told the Senedd: 'We all understand the importance of protecting Welsh livestock from bluetongue but the measures imposed are not only excessive, they're unworkable.' 'Requiring pre-movement testing for all live imports, even vaccinated animals, might look reasonable on paper but – in the real world of Welsh farming – it's chaos." He put the cost of vaccinating all livestock in Wales at £32m – £6 a cow and £3 for every sheep or goat – placing a 'staggering financial' burden on a struggling industry. During a statement on the Welsh Government's approach to bluetongue on June 17, deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies said policy will be kept under regular review.
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Senedd rejection for renewed calls for M4 relief road
Sam Rowlands described the M4 relief road as a golden opportunity, not only to ease congestion for motorists but also to boost the economy. The Conservatives' shadow finance secretary said the Welsh Government spent £135m of public money on the project before it was scrapped in June 2019. He accused then-first minister Mark Drakeford of breaking a pledge on the £1.6bn relief road and going against an inquiry's finding that the costs would outweigh the benefits two to one. Mr Rowlands told the Senedd: 'At every step of this journey, there's been indecision and money wasted. At the end of it all, it's been the Welsh people who've had to suffer as a result. And nothing has been done to ease congestion around Newport ever since.' Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru's shadow transport secretary, criticised the Tories for calling for a new road through a site of special scientific interest. Calling for a more affordable and environmentally sustainable solution, he raised the lengthy and costly completion of the Heads of the Valleys Road improvements. He told the Senedd: 'After 23 years of roadworks and around £2bn later, [the] Welsh Government will now pay more than £40m a year for 30 years to a private firm before the road will be publicly owned in 2055.' Mr Owen Griffiths, who represents South Wales East, criticised the Welsh Government for being 'too slow' to put forward a genuine alternative solution to M4 congestion. John Griffiths welcomed £445m from the UK spending review for rail in Wales, including three new railway stations planned in his Newport East constituency. Mr Griffiths called for urgency in taking forward the recommendations of the Burns commission 'after far too much delay'. Natasha Asghar said her constituents in South Wales East are regularly faced with bumper-to-bumper traffic and long delays on the route which is not fit for purpose. 'These never ending clogs are not just a nightmare for those stuck in them, they're also a major economic roadblock,' she said. 'The constant gridlock and unreliable nature of the M4 is undoubtedly making Wales a less attractive place to do business.' Senedd members voted 32-12 against the Tory motion following the debate on June 18.
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Nominations open for the 2025 Welsh Charity Awards
Nominations are open for the 2025 Welsh Charity Awards, organised by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), which honour the contributions of charities, community groups, and not-for-profits. The deadline for entries is June 30, 2025. Dr Lindsay Cordery-Bruce, chief executive of WCVA, said: "We are fortunate enough at WCVA to regularly hear just some of the countless inspiring stories from every corner of Wales. "We're proud of our awesome everyday heroes, but many frontline charity services are facing increasingly high demand while at the same time financial pressures are putting them at risk of closure. "We need to share their stories and show the world what they mean to people and how we simply can't do without them. "These awards are a chance to recognise the tireless efforts and innovative approaches of those who go above and beyond to support others." The awards ceremony will take place on October 16, 2025, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Categories include Volunteer of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year, Fundraiser of the Year, Champion of Diversity, Use of Welsh Language, and Organisation of the Year. Nominations are free and can be submitted through the Welsh Charity Awards website.
