Britain Braces for Third and Most Intense Heat Wave
Britain is gearing up for its third heat wave of the year as exceptionally hot and dry weather conditions grip large parts of the country. The Met Office reports that vast expanses of Britain have met the official heat wave criteria, with hot, dry, and sunny weather expected to persist into the weekend.
High pressure remains dominant, and temperatures are forecast to reach highs of 33 to 34 degrees Celsius in some regions over the next two days. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said, “The current heat wave is more widespread than previous heat waves this summer.”
On Friday, the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office issued an amber heat-health alert for much of England. Under the alerting system, an amber alert indicates that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the entire health service. Health effects may begin to be observed among the wider population, with increased risks for individuals aged over 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The Environment Agency has reported that England is experiencing the driest start to a year since 1976. In June, reservoir levels declined at nearly three-quarters of monitored sites, with all regions now recording below-average water storage. The agency has warned that continued dry conditions could place further pressure on water resources and the environment.
Dr. Tim Fox, a fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and co-author of a report on climate change adaptation, emphasized that the recent heat waves in Britain are not isolated events but are expected to become increasingly common. “As UK summers become hotter, with longer periods of high-temperature extremes, the impact will reach far beyond personal discomfort,” he said.
