No respite from heatwave with health alert extended and wildfire warning issued

The UK has endured a week-long July heatwave with suffocating sleepless nights, and the weather has more in store.

Most of the country is gripped by the third hot spell of the summer, now extended until next week and bringing more misery as temperatures will continue to top 30C.

Londoners endured a week of tropical nights, and there could be more of that as the hot and humid conditions persist.

Hosepipe bans have been put in place for millions east of London, including Essex, as drought fears grow, with the capital under a limited use advisory.

Meanwhile, the health watchdog, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), has extended the amber and yellow heat alerts until next week.

Here is a roundup of the UK weather and when the conditions will turn cooler.

Barbeque plea in London over wildfire risk

The emergency services have already come under pressure due to the heat.

The London Fire Brigade urged people not to use disposable barbeques to extinguish cigarettes properly over fears of dry heat sparking fires. It extended the wildfire risk level at least until tomorrow, Monday.

Crews tackle a grass fire in the Hornchurch Country Park, east London, yesterday with multiple units in attendance, while firefighters in West Sussex have battled a forest fire at Devil’s Dyke.

Where the heat health alerts are in place

The UKHSA issued the second-highest amber heat health alert for the West Midlands and the South West, active from 9am today until 9pm on Wednesday.

This means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over, or with health conditions.

Yellow heat health alerts were posted for the East Midlands, the North West, the South East, the East of England and London, and will also be in place from 9am on Sunday until 9pm on Wednesday.

As people try to cool down, sudden exposure to cold, open water could lead to shock and drowning, the watchdog warned.

Strong waves and currents can be a risk on England’s south coast in particular as the winds pick up over the coming days.

Three people have died in water-related incidents in recent days.

When will the heatwave end?

The week will kick off with temperatures surging close to 30C in London, the South West and Wales, while north England will see mid-twenties or below.

There is a chance of thundery showers in some parts of the south on Monday, but otherwise the week ahead is set to be dry, sunny and hot.

Thunder will be more widespread by Thursday, bringing a chance of showers, although temperatures will refuse to drop below high 20s.

A cooler north wind is in the pipeline towards the end of the week, helping to push the low pressure north.

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