UK households have been told not to do one thing between 11am and 3pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Met Office has predicted three days in a row of scorching hot conditions, with temperatures predicted to hit 32C on Friday, peak at 33C on Saturday and reach 29C on Sunday for parts of the UK, though exact peak temperatures will vary slightly in different parts of the country.
It’s not until Tuesday when the worst of the heat will ease off, as conditions drop back down to about 23C. During the hot weather, the NHS is urging households do not go outside between 11am and 3pm. If you do have to venture out, you should wear sun cream, a hat and light clothes, and avoid any exercise that will make you hotter.
The NHS advice on how to keep cool in a heatwave says: “Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.”
The NHS also says that you should eat cold food and drinks, and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
The advice adds: “Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow Heat Health Alerts covering every area of England, valid from now until Tuesday 15th July.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said: “High pressure from the Atlantic will lead to a build in temperatures over the coming days, with heatwave criteria reached by the weekend. Whilst temperatures are expected to build day on day, becoming widely hot, they are unlikely to surpass those recorded at the start of the month. This heatwave is expected to be longer lived and extend further north and west into a larger part of the UK than previously seen this summer.
“Temperatures are expected to peak over the weekend and ease early next week. They are expected to reach 30°C in some areas today and exceed 30°C more widely tomorrow (Friday), with peak temperatures on Saturday of 33°C possible in parts of England and Wales.”
“Scotland is also expected to meet heatwave criteria over the weekend. This hot spell is forecast to last longer and cover a broader area than previous ones so far this summer and pollen and UV levels will be very high in some areas. For updates, do keep an eye on the Met Office forecast as the picture develops.”
