London 48-hour heat health warning before 32C heatwave next week

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow heat health alert for London and several other regions, effective from 9am on Friday, July 24, until 9am on Sunday, July 26. The warning covers London, the East Midlands, East of England, the South East, South West, and West Midlands, where temperatures are forecast to reach the mid to high 20s Celsius, with a possibility of 30C over the weekend.

Heatwave conditions expected next week

Temperatures in London are expected to continue rising, with heatwave conditions likely from next week. According to the Met Office, a heatwave is defined as three consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 28C. BBC Weather forecasts highs between 29C and 32C from Tuesday, July 28, to Friday, July 31. The Met Office also predicts temperatures around 30C, and WX Charts shows a peak of 30C on Thursday, July 30.

This follows the first drought declaration in parts of the UK, covering North Wales and the Upper Severn, amid record dry conditions, wildfires, and dwindling rivers. Many areas in England remain in prolonged dry weather status, with only 3% of the average July rainfall received. Hosepipe bans affect 23 million customers, with suppliers warning they may persist throughout the summer.

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Context of extreme weather

The current dry spell continues a trend of more extreme weather driven by human-caused climate change, primarily from burning fossil fuels. The UK experienced a drought summer last year as well.

The UKHSA's weather health alert system, developed in partnership with the Met Office, provides early warnings to the health and social care sector, emergency responders, voluntary organisations, and government departments when adverse temperatures are likely to impact public health.