Britain braces for another spell of hot weather as five regions hit by heat health alerts

Britain is braced for another wave of abnormally hot weather, with five regions issued a heat health alert for this weekend and into early next week with temperatures set to climb beyond 30C.The UK Health Security Agency has deployed a yellow heat health alert for residents in the East Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, and London - between 12pm on Saturday and 5pm on Wednesday.This fresh alert means minor impacts are likely across health and social care services, with a greater risk to life of vulnerable people.According to Netweather models, temperatures are set to soar to 31C on three consecutive days from Sunday through to Tuesday, with hotter conditions in the high twenties set to continue well into next week. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Explaining the recurring heat of late, Met Office Scientist Dr Emily Carlisle said: This June was a clear example of how UK weather can deliver both unsettled conditions and record-breaking heat within the same month. The intensity of the late June heatwave, combined with exceptionally warm nights, has driven England’s warmest June on record for mean temperature, while the UK and Wales recorded their second warmest June on record.Coming 50 years after the 1976 heatwave, it also highlights how similar events are now playing out in a warmer climate, with higher temperatures and more widespread impacts than we would have seen in the past.All five regions affected by the looming temperatures have been deemed a risk score of seven, with those in the East Midlands and East of England likely to experience minor impacts, according to forecasters.Meanwhile, in London, the South East and South West, minor impacts are also likely, with the UKHSA warning of indoor environments becoming very warm, and water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning.In the West Midlands, Yorkshire and The Humber, 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 region at lowest risk of extreme conditions is the North West, with a risk score of five, as experts warn of potential for minor impacts, also not expected.Sarah Davies, Met Office head of environment and energy, said: “The weather in recent months highlights the variability we can experience, with a notably dry spring followed by a much wetter start to June, and more settled, drier conditions returning more recently.”LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:June was hottest ever on record for England, Met Office confirmsMan dies after being crushed by beach cleaning vehicle while asleep in Spanish holiday hotspotRoyal Mail confirms Saturday second-class deliveries to be SCRAPPED as part of major postal shake-upNorthern Britain is expected to have a cool Thursday night, but warm air will surge up from the southwest by Friday. Belfast up to 21C, Bristol and Birmingham around 25C and London around 28C - all before the peak temperatures of 28C to 31C over the weekend. This falls short of last week's heatwave, but still sees an increase to the low 20s we have seen this week.The frequency and intensity of heatwaves has increased worldwide, with Met Office projections indicating hot spells will become more frequent in our future climate, particularly over the South East of the UK. Temperatures are projected to rise in all seasons, but the heat would be most intense in summer.Heatwaves cause significant peaks in water demand, which can lead to public supply outages, with some areas of Kent hit with a hosepipe ban during the scorching heat of June.Helen Wakeham, National Drought Group chair and director of water at the Environment Agency, said: “While many of us enjoy the hot weather, we ask everyone to be mindful of their water use. Every drop saved leaves more available for farmers, our local rivers and wildlife.”Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office chief scientist, said: “June’s heatwave was a significant weather event, with a red extreme heat warning issued. Human-induced climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense.To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply.The Met Office stressed that those heading to the coast should be mindful that sea surface temperatures are not as high as they would be in mid-summer.The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) have also published accessible water safety resources available.Visit metoffice.gov.uk to stay up to date with the latest forecasts, and find extended safety guidance during periods of high temperatures. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter