An urgent amber heat warning has been issued as temperatures in the UK are set to rise up to 32C.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued the warning for all areas of England apart from the North East.
The hottest temperature of 2023 could be recorded during this week’s heatwave.
The Met Office is predicting maximum temperatures of 32C on Wednesday and Thursday, potentially matching the year’s record of 32.2C in June.
The UKHSA had issued a yellow alert across the whole of England apart from the North East, between 2pm on Monday and 9pm on September 10.
It has since raised the threat level to amber, meaning a heightened risk of death among those aged over 65 in social care settings, for the UK apart from the North East which is now subject to a yellow alert.
Under its amber alert, the UKHSA also warns of younger age groups being affected by the scorching temperatures with a further warning hospitals and care homes could possibly breach recommended heat thresholds.
Senior meteorologist Rachel Ayers said heatwave criteria will likely be met in a number of places over the next couple of days and for much of the UK it will feel “very warm to hot”.
More to follow…
