Britain is preparing for its third heatwave in six weeks, with shops reporting sell-outs of air conditioning units as temperatures are expected to reach 30C (86F) over five days. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a yellow health alert for southern and eastern England and the East Midlands from Saturday until Wednesday.
The alert warns of an increased risk to life for vulnerable individuals and a potential rise in water-related incidents, including drowning. Health officials are concerned about further deaths, following at least 11 water-related fatalities during the June heatwave and 17 during the May heatwave.
Retailers have seen a surge in demand for air conditioning units, with many stores and manufacturers now out of stock. Currys CEO Alex Baldock noted a 330% increase in AC sales over the latest heatwave weekend compared to the previous week. "Units have been flying off the shelves," he stated, adding that the company is working to maintain stock levels.
Heatwave Forecast
Temperatures are predicted to climb throughout the week, with London potentially reaching 29C on Sunday and 30C on Monday. The Met Office defines a heatwave as three consecutive days where daily maximum temperatures meet or exceed a specific threshold, which varies by region from 25C to 28C. This upcoming period is expected to be dominated by high pressure building from the Azores, bringing dry, settled, and sunny weather.
Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth indicated that while temperatures will warm, they are not expected to reach the exceptional peaks seen during the late June heatwave. "We are not expecting the exceptional temperatures that we saw through late June," she said.
Health and Environmental Concerns
The heatwave also raises concerns for individuals with respiratory conditions. Allergy UK has warned of potential "thunderstorm asthma" triggered by thundery weather, high winds, pollen, and pollution. The charity advises those with asthma and hay fever to stay prepared, manage their symptoms diligently, and seek medical help if experiencing breathing difficulties.
Last month, the UK provisionally recorded its warmest June since records began, with England's average temperature reaching 17.1C. The country also experienced its hottest May day on record, with 35.1C recorded on May 26. Several of the UK's top ten hottest days on record occurred last week, including a provisional June temperature record of 37.7C.