UKHSA issues Level 3 Heat Health Alert for Tuesday to Sunday

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a Level 3 Heat Health Alert, in force from Tuesday through to Sunday, the Met Office announced on 11 August 2022¹. The same announcement confirmed an Amber Extreme heat warning from the Met Office, in place until Sunday and covering much of the southern half of England as well as parts of eastern Wales¹.

The Met Office said temperatures would build through the week, peaking in the mid 30s Celsius on Saturday, with 35C expected on Friday and possibly 36C over the weekend¹. It reported increasingly warm nights, with temperatures not expected to drop below the low 20s Celsius for some places in the south¹. Heatwave criteria were being met, with temperatures widely into the high 20s and low 30s Celsius across England, and Scotland and Northern Ireland could reach official heatwave criteria by Saturday¹. The Met Office said the heat was not expected to be as extreme as in July, when new national records were set, and that after the driest July in England since 1935 there was little rain in the forecast that week¹.

The UKHSA advised people to look out for vulnerable people, including older people, young children and those with underlying health conditions¹. The Met Office described the Level 3 alert as designed to help healthcare professionals manage through periods of extreme weather¹.

The Met Office's published guidance for the public was to drink plenty of fluids and take water when going out, wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat, and avoid exercising between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest¹. The National Fire Chiefs Council asked the public not to use barbecues in the countryside or at local parks, to make sure cigarettes are fully stubbed out, not to drop litter, and warned that rivers, lakes and other water can still be very cold, with jumping in risking cold water shock and accidental drowning¹. National Highways advised drivers to plan journeys, take plenty of drinking water for themselves and passengers, and check tyres, coolant and oil levels before heading out¹. The British Veterinary Association advised that animals have access to fresh drinking water, good ventilation and shade at all times, and that dogs are not walked or exercised in the hottest parts of the day or left in a hot car or conservatory¹. Water UK said water companies were already managing the effects of the driest winter and spring since the 1970s and asked the public to be mindful of water use¹.

NHS England's heat-health notices for the same period give slightly different end dates. One, issued at 8:14am on Monday 8 August 2022, put a 90% probability of heat-health alert criteria being met between midday on Tuesday 9 August and 6pm on Saturday 13 August in parts of England². A later notice, issued at 9:30am on Tuesday 9 August 2022, gave the period as 1200 on Tuesday 9 August to Sunday 14 August³. The Met Office account gives the alert as running from Tuesday through to Sunday¹.

Why it matters for households

The alert covered parts of England, with the Met Office heat warning covering much of the southern half of England and parts of eastern Wales¹. The UKHSA's stated concern was people who are more vulnerable, including older people who live alone and people with underlying health conditions, and it advised that they stay hydrated, keep cool and take steps to prevent their homes from overheating¹. NHS England said hot weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients². The Met Office warned of potential impacts on health, transport and infrastructure¹. The heat-health alerts guide explains what the yellow, amber and red levels mean, and the UKHSA guide covers the agency's alerts and local teams.

What happens next

The Met Office said temperatures would drop early next week as the weather becomes more changeable, with heavy showers and thunderstorms likely in some areas, though it said there was low confidence in the details and it was impossible to say yet exactly where and when they would occur¹. NHS England subsequently issued a Level 1 Summer preparedness notice at 8.01am on Tuesday 16 August 2022, stating that temperatures were not expected to reach heatwave threshold values until further notice⁷. Households can find sign-up details on the heat-health alert signup page.