An amber heat health alert is in effect across the South West from 12PM on 18 June 2026 until 8PM on 23 June 2026, Somerset Council has said in an update on the alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office1. The amber alert has a matrix score of 121.
The council says significant impacts are likely across health and social care services because of the high temperatures1. The effects it lists are:
| Area | Reported likely impact |
|---|---|
| Deaths | A rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions; possible impacts on younger age groups |
| Services | Increased demand on all health and social care services |
| Care settings | Internal temperatures in hospitals and care homes may exceed the recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment |
| Workforce | Heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services; staffing issues due to external factors such as transport |
| People at home | Indoor environments overheating, increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings |
| Medicines | Issues managing medicines |
| Power | Increased demand for power exceeding capacity |
| Travel | Other sectors starting to observe impacts, for example travel delays |
| Water | Water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning |
All of the above are attributed to the council's update1.
"Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures"
Why it matters for households
The alert covers the whole South West and runs until 8PM on 23 June 20261. The council's list places older people, people with health conditions and those living independently or in care settings among those at greater risk, and notes possible effects on younger age groups1. It also flags pressure on power capacity and possible travel delays, and says water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning1.
The council says it has published guidance on staying safe during hot weather, and that while exposure to hot weather can affect anyone, some people are particularly at risk1. It also points organisations to the Adverse Weather and Health Plan, which sets out what to do before and while a heat health alert is in place1. The Heat-Health Alerts: Yellow, Amber and Red Explained page sets out what each alert level means, and the Adverse Weather and Health Plan: How Services Respond page covers how services act on an alert. Households can find the wider picture in the heatwaves and drought section.
What happens next
The alert remains in place until 8PM on 23 June 20261. The council says the Met Office may issue National Severe Weather Warnings, for example for extreme heat, at short notice so that people can take appropriate action, and directs readers to the Met Office website for current warnings and the latest forecast1. All weather health alerts currently in place across England are listed on the UKHSA data dashboard1. The How to Sign Up for Heat-Health Alerts page explains how to receive them.
Sources (1)
- Heat health alert updated for the South West, somerset.gov.uk
Heat-Health Alerts Explained
