Heatwave set to hit parts of UK this weekend with temperatures over 30C

Yellow heat alerts were issued

Earlier this week, the UK Health Security Agency issued the yellow heat alerts which apply to the East of England, East Midlands, London and the South East from 3pm on Wednesday until 8pm on Monday.

For parts of the UK, heatwave conditions are predicted for the weekend while there is a possibility of temperatures as high as 33C next week.

According to the Met Office, temperatures are expected to climb steadily into the high 20s later this week, with southern England close to 30C by Friday and 32C on Sunday, with the potential for 33C by Monday.

Meanwhile, East Anglia could have temperatures of 32C on Friday.

In some areas in the south and southeast of England, by Saturday and more widely on Sunday, heatwave criteria are likely set to be met, according to forecasters.

According to Sky News meteorologist Christopher England, “high pressure will bring hot continental air and plenty of sunshine across southern parts of Britain over the next few days, and especially the South East, with 33C possible by Monday.”

He added that a “briefer, somewhat cooler, cloudier and damper interlude” is set for Saturday, while “prolonged high temperatures will bring the chance of heatwave conditions over some southeastern parts by Saturday”.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Gregory Wolverson said that what we’re likely to see from Friday is “more unsettled conditions passing to the northwest of the UK while heat builds in the south and east”.

“As we move towards the weekend, we'll see conditions become more widely settled and temperatures rise all round”, he added.

Further, he said that “while temperatures may be high, we might not all see the wall-to-wall sunshine and blue skies we experienced back in May”, during a record-breaking heatwave across the UK.

During that heatwave, at least 15 people died in water-related incidents across the UK, nine of them children.

The heatwave criteria and how it depends based on location

Temperatures must exceed a daily maximum for three days in a row, for a heatwave to be declared.

That max temperature varies from area to area:

• For Scotland, Northern Ireland, much of western Wales and northern England, and Cornwall and Devon, temperatures must exceed 25C;
• In areas like Hull, Cardiff and Bournemouth, that threshold is 26C;
• Some of the Home Counties and part of the Midlands declare a heatwave when it's 27C;
• And London, Surrey, Cambridge and Oxford have the highest thresholds at 28C.

How the heatwave affects your body

As your body heats up, what are known as blood vessels open up.

The opening of vessels then lowers your blood pressure, making your heart work more to keep moving blood around the body.

Oftentimes, this process can cause "mild symptoms" such as an itchy heat rash or swollen feet, according to a BBC report.

The other thing to look out for is how sweating can lead to the loss of fluids and salt.

When the balance between salt and fluids is disrupted, it can cause changes in the body.

The result of these two processes can lead to what is called "heat exhaustion," and the BBC have also unveiled a list of symptoms to look out for.

They are:

• dizziness
• nausea
• fainting
• confusion
• muscle cramps
• headaches
• heavy sweating
• tiredness

What you can do to help prevent health problems

Government advice is available through the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), who have issued some recommendations on how best to mitigate the impacts of increased heat.

The first thing that is advocated for is to look out for older and more vulnerable people.

Secondly, they suggest staying cooler indoors by "closing curtains" on rooms that face the sun.

Drinking plenty of fluids is another good starting point.

It is also recommended to avoid consuming too much alcohol.

Other advice relates to staying in the shade, using sunscreen with a high SPF and UVA rating, and wearing a wide-brimmed hat.