ALERT: Amber heat-health warning as South West faces hot weather with highs near 29C

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have issued an amber heat-health alert for all regions of England, including the South West.

The alert is in place from 12 noon on Thursday 19 June to 9am on Monday 23 June, with temperatures in Devon expected to reach the high 20s Celsius.

Under the Weather-Health Alert system, an amber alert indicates that weather impacts are likely to affect the whole health service. Health risks increase especially for individuals aged over 65 or those with pre-existing conditions such as respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “We have already seen warm weather across the week, and temperatures are set to increase in the coming days, exceeding 30c in many areas.
Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions. It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.”

Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley added: “The highest temperatures from this hot spell are forecast for Saturday, with low 30s Celsius fairly widely across England, and up to 34°C possible in eastern areas. Despite this, the more uncomfortable heat will be in northern and western areas initially, where despite somewhat lower temperatures the air will be more humid.

“The nights will also be quite warm, with the possibility of temperatures not falling below 20°C in some areas, making it hard to sleep. This is what we term a ‘tropical night’.

“Temperatures will ease from the west on Sunday as fresher air arrives from the Atlantic, although parts of East Anglia and the far southeast of England could still see 28-29°C for a time.”

To stay safe during the hot weather, UKHSA recommends:

• Keeping your home cool by closing windows and curtains in sun-facing rooms

• Wearing suitable clothing such as hats and sunglasses when outdoors

• Applying sunscreen regularly and seeking shade, especially between 11am and 3pm

• Planning physical activities for cooler times of the day, like early morning or evening

• Knowing the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and how to respond

For more advice on managing heat-related health risks, see UKHSA’s heat-health advice and the Met Office forecast for the South West.

Keep up to date with the latest weather alerts and health advice on the UKHSA Heat-Health Alert dashboard.