A yellow heat-health alert is in place across England until the beginning of next week. The alert system, created by the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), warns of an increased health risk to vulnerable people as a direct result of hot temperatures.
This week is set to be another hot one in Bristol, with temperatures today reaching just shy of 30C. While the mercury is unlikely to stay this high for the rest of the week, temperatures are expected to remain in the mid to high 20s.
The alert warns of possible 'significant impacts' in the health and social care industries due to the high temperatures. A yellow alert is issued during periods of heat which are unlikely to impact the majority of people, but could impact vulnerable elderly people, or people with disabilities.
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The alert was issued on June 9 and is now expected to last until 9am on Monday, June 19. All regions in England are affected by this yellow alert, including the South West, which is set to see temperatures hit 30C today (June 13).
The impacts of high temperatures under this warning include an observed increase in mortality across the population, particularly in the 65+ age group, or in those with health conditions. Hotter temperatures may also impact younger people with a likely increased demand for health and social care services. Temperatures indoors in care settings may also become very warm, which may increase the risk of indoor overheating.
Bristol is expected to hit 30C today, which is forecast to be the hottest day of the week. From Wednesday onwards, the mercury is due to drop down to the mid-20s, though the air will feel warm and humid, especially at night.
South West Met Office forecast
- Today: A murky start for many with low cloud lingering around coasts. Elsewhere, cloud breaking and lifting through the morning, leaving a warm day with plenty of sunshine, but with the risk of a few heavy afternoon showers. Maximum temperature 27 °C.
- Tonight: Any showers soon fading with mostly clear skies developing across the region, perhaps with a few isolated mist patches forming here and there by dawn. Another warm and humid night. Minimum temperature 15 °C.
- Wednesday: Any early morning mist quickly clearing leaving the region with plenty of summer sunshine as temperatures rise during the morning. Maximum temperature 26 °C.
- Outlook for Thursday to Saturday: Mostly settled with plenty of dry weather and long periods of warm sunshine on Thursday and Friday. Feeling much fresher with an increasing chance of a shower on Saturday.
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