The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for extreme heat across 90 areas in the UK, including London, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 38°C. The weather service cautioned that the scorching conditions could lead to power cuts due to the failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment.
Heat warning details and affected regions
The amber warning is in effect for London and South East England from 12:00 AM on Wednesday until 11:59 PM on Thursday. Widespread temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C, with the hottest locations potentially reaching 38°C. Overnight temperatures will remain above 20°C, according to the Met Office.
Affected areas include major cities and regions such as Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Cambridge, Brighton, Oxford, Southampton, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, and many others across England and Wales.
Advice for residents during power cuts
The Met Office has provided guidance for households in the event of a power outage. Residents using electricity for medical equipment should contact their Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to be added to the Priority Register. Other recommendations include keeping multiple torches with extra batteries, charging mobile phones, and keeping fridges and freezers closed with a blanket over them to retain cold.
People are advised to switch off appliances such as irons, ovens, and electric fires to prevent hazards when power returns. Those with digital landlines and no mobile phone should contact their communications provider for additional support.
Impact on services and infrastructure
The forecaster warned that the extreme heat could cause failures in heat-sensitive systems and equipment, leading to power cuts and loss of other services to homes and businesses. The alert spans a wide range of counties and unitary authorities, including all of Greater London, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex, and many areas in Wales and the Midlands.
According to the Express, the Met Office emphasized the importance of preparing for potential disruptions. The full list of affected areas covers 90 locations, from large cities to rural counties.
