New hot weather health alerts issued by Met Office for this weekend – are you affected?
NEW hot weather alerts have been issued across the UK today – affecting millions of Brits.
Amber warnings are now in place in the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East and South West.
The UK Health Security Agency issued the alerts after the Met Office forecast highs of 30C in some parts in the coming days.
Amber alerts indicate rising temperatures are likely to impact the wider population, not just the most vulnerable.
And the UKHSA say these impacts will be felt across the whole of the health service.
The areas under amber warnings were issued yellow alerts on Wednesday but ramped up as temperatures across Britain are set to rise this weekend.
Three new yellow warnings were also rolled out for North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regions of England on Thursday.
London remains at this level, with alerts in place from 9am on Friday to 9am on Monday.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms in a number of regions from 2-9pm on Saturday.
It comes as the mercury soared to 25C in Bournemouth on Thursday as the hot weather continued to bake Britain.
And it is set to continue, with Thursday evening remaining dry with lengthy clear spells for most.
But Eastern areas of Britain will see low cloud while the far south-west of England will see some showers.
Friday will see further rainfall in the far south-west, becoming more frequent through the day. but the rest of the UK will stay dry and sunny.
It comes as Brits were warned of “very high” pollen levels for the coming days – effecting most of England.
The Midlands, south of England, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to see the worst of the pollen, while the north east of England and Scotland will escape with low levels.
Ways to keep yourself safe in the hot weather
Here are the ways in which you can keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather:
- Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
- Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
- Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
- If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
- Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
- If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly
- Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake