After a sunny weekend, Britain now enters another week of abnormally hot weather as six regions have been issued a heat health alert, with temperatures set to climb to 33C in the south of England.
The UK Health Security Agency has deployed a yellow heat health alert for residents in the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, and London which will last at least until 8pm on Saturday.
This fresh alert means minor impacts are likely or expected across health and social care services, with a greater risk to life of vulnerable people.
According to Met Office forecasts, temperatures are set to soar to 33C later today, with hotter conditions in the high twenties and low thirties set to continue throughout the week.
Dr Ségolène Berthou, Air-Sea Interaction Specialist at the Met Office, said: “Marine heatwaves around the UK have developed rapidly following the recent heat dome, and we are now seeing widespread strong to locally severe conditions.
“This is the third and most intense marine heatwave we have seen this year.
“While these warmer seas did not significantly increase peak temperatures on land, they reduced night-time cooling and helped sustain warmth, particularly in coastal areas.
“With further sunny and calm weather likely next week, there will be little opportunity for the ocean to release this excess heat. This means the surface marine heatwave could intensify further, potentially reaching extreme levels in the south. Such conditions would be highly unusual for UK waters.”
In the East Midlands, West Midlands, South West and East of England, minor impacts are likely according to forecasters, with all four regions assigned a risk score of seven.
The UKHSA have warned of indoor environments becoming very warm, and that water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning.
In London and the South East, the risk scores have been bumped up to a risk score of eight as temperatures peak here – meaning minor impacts are expected for Britons living in these areas.
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In Yorkshire and The Humber, the North West and the North East – all with a risk score of six – minor impacts are “possible” but not expected, with no heat health warning in place in these regions.
The extreme temperatures come as waters have reached temperatures usually expected in August, and are on average 2°C warmer than usual, reaching 4-5C above expected in offshore parts of the Welsh and English coasts.
As a result, inland temperatures are forecast to rise again with parts of England potentially reaching the low thirties in the southeast.
While forecasters say the likelihood of reaching the extreme temperatures and humidity levels seen last week is low, a renewed period of warm weather is expected.
The Met Office stressed that those heading to the coast should be mindful that while sea surface temperatures are not as high as they would be in mid-summer, standard risks remain in place.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) have also published accessible water safety resources available.
Holly Clements, Met Office head of warnings and guidance, said: “It is vital for the public to understand that although sea-surface temperatures are currently well above average in many coastal locations, this does not avoid the risk of cold-water shock.
“With warmer weather approaching, and even with marine heatwave conditions, it’s important to remember that the water around the UK is still cold. Entering it unexpectedly can lead to cold-water shock.”
Visit metoffice.gov.uk to stay up to date with the latest forecasts, and find extended safety guidance during periods of high temperatures.
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