The UK’s long wait for a “real summer” has been dealt another blow as a deluge of rain is set to hit millions of Britons next month, according to new weather maps.
Large swathes of the UK are set to be flooded on Tuesday (August 6), according to maps from WXCHARTS, with major cities including Southampton, London, Birmingham and Manchester set to see downpours following a brutal heatwave next week.
Small areas of the British Isles will remain dry, including Newcastle, but a wave of blue will cover large swathes of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A 400-mile stretch from north-east England to Cornwall will flood towns across the country.
According to data collected by the weather forecast website, Belfast also appears to be able to avoid torrential rain.
London appears to be the worst-hit city, with a graph of instantaneous rainfall rates showing the capital was hit by more than 5mm of rain per hour by midnight that day.
Meanwhile, Birmingham will see up to 2mm per hour, and Manchester less than 1mm per hour.
But for many, the rain will be a relief after temperatures near 30C are expected next week, prompting the Met Office and the UK Health Safety Agency to issue a heat health alert.
Agencies warn that heat-related deaths are “likely” in southeast England, eastern England and London, particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with pre-existing health conditions. These effects could also be seen in younger age groups, officials warned.
Demand for remote healthcare services is likely to increase as temperatures in hospitals and nursing homes could exceed recommended thresholds.
The heat could also affect workers and many indoor locations are likely to overheat, posing an increased risk to “vulnerable” people living independently or in care facilities, the warning said.
The East of England, South East England and London are likely to see the worst impacts, while agencies warn of likely “minor” problems affecting Yorkshire and the Humber, the Midlands and South West England.
In the north-east and north-west of England, there is a risk of increased use of health services by ‘vulnerable’ people and an increased risk of mortality among the same population. It could also be very hot indoors, but the UKHSA says it does not expect these outcomes.
Heat alerts are sent to all NHS commissioned healthcare providers, local authorities and social care organisations in England.
The yellow heat health alert is in effect from Monday (July 29) at 9 a.m. to Wednesday (July 31) at 11 p.m.
In its latest longer-range forecast covering 30 July to 8 August, the Met Office says temperatures are likely to be close to or slightly above average overall.
It says very warm conditions are likely to develop in the south and perhaps parts of the east at times.
