RED Extreme Heat Warning as Temperatures Forecast to Reach 39°C This Week

Red Extreme Heat Warnings have been issued by the Met Office for Wednesday and Thursday this week with amber warnings applying to all other days.

Temperatures will quickly rise today and are forecast to reach 34°C in southern parts of England.

The heat will build further into Tuesday, with highs of 37°C forecast for southern England and 35°C in southeast Wales.

Peak of the Heatwave

The peak of the heatwave is now forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures are expected to climb to at least 39°C and there remains a chance of this being exceeded in places.

By Friday conditions will be less hot, with highs of 32°C forecast across eastern areas.

Overnight temperatures will also be very high, with widespread Tropical Nights, where the temperature does not drop below 20°C, across parts of England and Wales, especially in urban areas.

Humidity is also a factor, making this heatwave even more impactful with heat stress a danger to all.  Heat health alerts have also been issued.

Top Tips for Heat Alert Safety

(From NHS)

• Drink plenty of water
• Stay in the shade 11am-3pm
• Close curtains and blinds in windows facing the sun
• Check on others

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

The symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• tiredness
• dizziness
• headache
• feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• excessive sweating and skin becoming pale and clammy (a change in skin colour can be harder to see on brown or black skin)
• cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
• a high temperature
• being very thirsty
• feeling irritable

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion they need to be cooled down and given fluids.

Things You Can Do to Cool Someone Down

If someone has heat exhaustion, follow these four steps:

1. Move them to a cool place.

2. Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.

3. Give them plenty of water to drink – you can also give them an isotonic sports drink or oral rehydration powder that you mix with water, which will help replace salt lost through sweating.

4. Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.

Stay with them until they’re better.

They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

Symptoms of Heatstroke

The symptoms of heatstroke include:

• a very high temperature
• hot skin without sweating
• fast breathing and a fast heartbeat
• confusion and restlessness
• seizure (fit)
• loss of consciousness

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Get immediate medical help if someone has the symptoms of heatstroke. Call 999.

>> Read more tips for coping with extreme heat in the news