A warning has been issued for some regions of the UK due to expected high temperatures of 30C, which can pose health risks.
An amber alert has been issued by the Met Office for southern England, which includes London, the South East, and the East of England.
The alert is in place from 9 am on Friday until 9 am on Saturday.
The Met Office said that “hot weather” is expected, with temperatures reaching 30C in some parts.
A yellow warning for much of England has been issued by the Met Office Wales and Northern Ireland, with temperatures expected to reach 28C in some parts.
The Met Office advises people to stay calm and hydrated and check on vulnerable people.
Here are some tips for staying safe in hot weather:
- Staying hydrated by drinking fluids is essential, even if you need more water.
- To avoid dehydration, it’s best to steer clear of alcohol and caffeine.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing.
- Stay in the shade as much as possible.
- It’s best to avoid engaging in intense physical activity during the hottest time of the day.
- Check on vulnerable people, such as the elderly, young children and those with chronic health conditions.
If you feel unwell, such as dizzy or lightheaded, seek medical attention.
The UKHSA has also issued a yellow weather warning for much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with temperatures expected to reach 28C in some parts.
The Met Office is advising people to:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity during the hottest part of the day.
- Check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours, especially the elderly, young children and those with chronic health conditions.
- Consider wearing light, loose-fitting clothing and a hat.
- Take a break from the sun in the middle of the day and stay in a cool place.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks.
- Make sure pets have plenty of fresh water.
The Met Office also warns of the risk of thunderstorms in some areas. If you are caught in a thunderstorm, seek shelter immediately.
A less severe yellow alert, which advises people to check on vulnerable family and friends, is in place for the north of England and London.
A Met Office yellow warning for thunderstorms is also in place for all of Wales and large parts of southern England from 14:00 BST until 21:00 on Saturday. This warning is in place on Sunday for most of the UK, including Northern Ireland, from 12:00 until 21:00.
This could mean disruption to travel, power cuts and localised flooding from the heaviest showers.
The UKHSA expects heatwaves are “likely to occur more often, be more intense and last longer in the years and decades ahead”.
The UKHSA and the Met Office run the new colour-coded alert system launched last week, aiming to reduce illness and deaths among the most vulnerable.
One further alert still needs to be issued, representing the most severe risk. The red alert means there is a significant risk to life even for healthy people, and a powerful impact is likely across all sectors.
