Met Office issues rare amber extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales

The Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning for much of southern England and south-east Wales over the coming days – the most extreme heat warning the weather forecaster has issued for nearly four years.

Temperatures are expected to climb to about 30C (86F) over the weekend and peak on Monday and Tuesday at 34C, “though there remains a chance of this being exceeded in some spots”, the Met Office said.

The forecaster introduced amber extreme heat warnings in July 2021, and issued its most recent one in August 2022.

The warning differs from amber heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). It issued a separate amber health alert on Thursday, warning health and care services that the expected high temperatures could significantly affect the health and wellbeing of people in London, the south-east, the south-west and the east of England.

The UKHSA warning means a rise in deaths is likely in these areas, particularly among those aged 65 or over or with health conditions, and there may also be a rise in “water-related incidents”, including “risks from cold-water shock and drowning”.

Ross MacLeod, water safety manager for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said: “Cold water shock is a real danger, which we particularly want people to be aware of. The sea or open water may look inviting during hot weather, but it remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which can cause uncontrollable gasping, increased heart rate, and can lead to panic and drowning very quickly. It’s best to enter the water slowly to gradually acclimatise.

“Anyone who finds themselves in danger in the water should fight the panic instinct and ‘float to live’: try to relax and float on their back, with head tilted back, gently moving their hands and legs to help them stay afloat. This buys valuable time to get your breathing back under control, before then calling for help or swimming to safety.”

He urged people not to enter the water when they see someone else in danger, but instead to contact emergency services, tell the struggling person to float and throw them something buoyant, such as a life ring. At least 15 people died after getting into trouble in open water during a hot spell in May.

Greg Wolverson, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “While heatwave criteria will be met for some in the south and south-east of England over the weekend, with temperatures into the low 30s [C] possible, the warmth will expand and intensify at the start of next week, which, coupled with high temperatures overnight, leads to potential impacts.