Health officials have issued a warning for hot weather in parts of the UK, saying high temperatures over the coming days could cause a greater risk to life for vulnerable people.
The yellow heat health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), covering the East Midlands, east, south-east and south-west England, including London, from 12pm on Saturday until 5pm on Wednesday.
The agency said that within the warning area, minor impacts were likely across health and social care services because of the high temperatures, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and a greater risk to life to the same group.
It also warned of a potential increase in water-related incidents, including risks from cold water shock and drowning.
The Met Office previously said temperatures in the south this week will be in the low to mid-20s before they are expected to rise to the high 20s or early 30s this weekend and into next week.
The agency said rain and strengthening winds will spread into Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Wednesday, bringing a windy, wet night across the north, and clouds and fog in southern areas.
While Thursday is set to see patchy rain clearing the far south, sunny spells will develop elsewhere, with the North East staying breezy.
Unsettled conditions are then expected from Friday in the North, but the weather is forecast to be increasingly warm further south, the Met Office said.
Allergy UK warned people living with asthma or hay fever could experience “thunderstorm asthma”, which occurs when thundery weather causes high winds to bring pollen and pollution into the atmosphere, which can then be inhaled deep into the lungs, triggering or worsening asthma symptoms.
Amena Warner, head of clinical services at Allergy UK, said: “Most people with hay fever will experience their normal range of symptoms – sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes, but these will be more extreme.
“However, more worryingly, hay fever can cause asthma symptoms to worsen and thunderstorm conditions can cause even mild symptoms to become severe, such as difficulty breathing and chest tightening.
“For anyone affected by asthma and hay fever, it’s important to be prepared and diligent in taking allergy treatments and medications to manage symptoms.
“Anyone who experiences difficulty breathing should seek medical help without delay.”
The charity said people can reduce the risks related to thunderstorm asthma by staying indoors before, during and after the storm, wearing a mask when outdoors to reduce pollen exposure, taking their usual medication, keeping a reliever inhaler with them and monitoring their asthma in case it deteriorates.
The UKHSA’s new alert comes after a sweltering heatwave last week, during which the Met Office issued a rare red warning for extreme heat for parts of the country and the UKHSA put red heat health alerts in place.
The UK set a provisional June temperature record of 37.7C on Friday in Lingwood in Norfolk, according to the Met Office.
It beats the previous June record for the UK of 35.6C dating back to 1976 by more than 2C.
Such records have usually been broken by only a fraction of a degree in the past.
Read MoreWarmest June on record for England and second warmest for UK
Teachers in England offered new pay rise amid ‘extremely disappointing’ proposals
June was the hottest on record for England, says Met Office
Man given £1k fine for leaving cardboard box next to overflowing bin
Brewery giant who banned music and swearing in pubs dies aged 81
Volodymyr Zelensky thanks Ireland for support during Dublin Castle address
