UK Weather: Health officials issue heatwave warnings for England | UK Weather

British health authorities have issued yellow warnings as a heatwave is expected to send temperatures above 30C in south-east England.

The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat health warnings for all of England, except the north-east and north-west, until Wednesday.

The UKHSA said the heat could have “significant impacts” on health and social care, particularly in the South East and London.

Temperatures are expected to reach 30°C in the capital on Monday and 32°C on Tuesday, before dropping to 29°C on Wednesday and Thursday.

Temperatures peaked at 27.3C in Charlwood, Surrey, on Sunday as the heat began to build after an unsettled weekend.

The higher temperatures are the result of a change in weather patterns, from lower to higher pressure, as the jet stream weakens over the west of the UK. High pressure means air is sinking from higher regions of the atmosphere, resulting in drier, more settled and sunnier weather.

The heatwave criteria are met when a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures reaching or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold, which varies by region; for example, this is 28°C in London and 25°C in the north of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Last week, Round Our Way warned of “worrying” temperatures affecting students and teachers in classrooms as climate change causes more heatwaves. Its research showed classrooms exceeded the recommended maximum temperature of 26C during the heatwave in late June.

During a heatwave, the UKHSA recommends taking care of vulnerable people, including children and the elderly, as well as those with underlying health conditions. It is recommended to close curtains in rooms exposed to the sun, drink plenty of fluids, avoid physical exertion during the hottest part of the day and avoid exposure to the sun between 11am and 3pm.

If a person still feels unwell after 30 minutes of recovering in cool water and drinking water to combat heat exhaustion, they may have heatstroke and should call 999.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across much of the UK. Most of southern England, the Midlands and much of northern England are covered by the warning, which comes into effect at midnight on Thursday and ends at 11.59pm. “Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop on Thursday and may cause disruption,” the Met Office said.