Millions of people across England and Wales face a double health warning this weekend as yellow heat alerts and high pollen levels take effect. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued yellow heat health alerts covering the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, the east of England and London, in place from 9am on Friday until 9am on Sunday. The UKHSA said the hot weather could have an impact across health and social care services and put vulnerable people at risk. Health chiefs also warned water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold water shock and drowning.
Temperatures are set to hit 29C on Saturday in London and 28C in Birmingham and Norwich, but rain is also forecast. The heat alert comes after three consecutive heatwaves and one of the driest springs on record with hosepipe bans in place across the country. Showers are expected to roll in across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland on Saturday evening, before spreading further across the UK on Sunday.
“Yellow heat alerts and high pollen warnings issued for parts of UK this weekend”
Met Office chief forecaster Steve Willington said: "The high pressure has been a key feature of the UK's weather forecast over the last few weeks, bringing above-average temperatures and extremely dry conditions for many. However, we will begin to see a modest change as a weak weather front pushes south across the UK on Saturday bringing some much-needed rain, albeit light and mainly concentrated in the North and West. Behind the front, a showery air mass will bring potentially heavy showers, some of which may be thundery."
Greg Wolverson, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, explained cooler weather can be expected from Sunday onwards, but temperatures will still remain average for the time of year. "Although there is a return to rain in the forecast, we have just come out of an exceptionally dry spell and the forecast rain is unlikely to be widespread or substantial," he said. "Many areas are likely to continue experiencing prevailing dry conditions for the foreseeable future, especially in southern England."
Meanwhile, the Met Office issued an amber alert for Wales on Friday and Saturday due to a high weed pollen forecast. The pollen forecast covers the next five days across the whole of the UK. On Sunday pollen levels will reduce to low but rise again to moderate on Monday and Tuesday. High weed pollen levels mean hay fever sufferers may experience symptoms such as frequent sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes and an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears. Less common symptoms include loss of smell, facial pain, sweating and headaches.
The heat alert coincides with millions of motorists expected to take to the roads for summer getaways. The AA said around 6.3 million drivers are planning a road trip of more than 100 miles between Friday and Thursday. The Port of Dover is expecting another busy weekend but has worked to smooth any delays caused by new EU border checks.