Level 3 heat alert

Met Office releases Level 3 Heat Alert as heatwave forecast across Britain.

The Met Office has issued a Level 3 Heat alert– Health Alert warning people to look out for vulnerable and elderly, as temperatures are predicted to hit highs of 33°C.

The alert, in place from 9am July 11 until 9am July 15. Means there will be sustained temperatures of at least 31°C. Which is above those predicted for holiday hotspots like Barcelona and Lisbon.

Forecasters have said that the climate crisis is causing heatwaves to be more severe and occur more often.

The Extreme Heat Warning was first issued in July last year after being introduced to raise awareness of the adverse health effects and pressure heatwaves can put on water and power supplies.

The UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, have advised the public to do the following:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day.
• It’s been advised people refrain from putting their pets in their cars.
• Cover windows exposed to direct sunlight.
• Ensure fans and fridges are working.
• Ensure that medicines are stored correctly.

The UK’s highest temperature of the year so far was recorded in Heathrow Airport on June 17 at 32.7°.

Extreme temperatures are also expected for next week, with some forecasters saying it could get as hot as 40°C in southern England. The first time temperatures have ever been predicted to reach that high in the UK.

Source: Environmental Journal
Published: 12th July 2022