Heat-health alert extended for Sussex and Surrey
An amber heat-health alert has been extended for Sussex and Surrey, amid scorching temperatures across the UK.
A previous heat-health warning – covering the bank holiday weekend – was due to expire on Wednesday, May 27.
However, updated alerts have since been issued, extending and escalating heat-related risk levels across the country.
The earlier advisory formed part of a wider warning period issued by the UK Health Security Agency, which had been in place to cover the bank holiday weekend due to rising temperatures and associated pressures on health and care services.
That initial alert period has now been replaced by a fresh set of warnings – running through to 5pm on Thursday, May 28.
The UK Health Security Agency alert reads: “Significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among people aged 65 and over or those with existing health conditions, though younger age groups may also be affected.
"Demand on all health and social care services is expected to increase, while internal temperatures in care settings such as hospitals and care homes may exceed recommended thresholds for clinical risk assessment.
"The heat may also affect the ability of the workforce to deliver services, with overheating indoor environments increasing risks for vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings. Additional challenges may include difficulties in managing medicines and staffing issues linked to external factors such as transport disruption.
"There is also the potential for increased demand on power systems beyond capacity, with other sectors beginning to experience impacts such as travel delays. In addition, water-related incidents may increase, including risks from cold-water shock and drowning.”
Officials warn that prolonged heat can still contribute to serious health impacts even after initial peak temperatures, particularly among older adults and those with existing medical conditions, as well as creating wider pressures on infrastructure and staffing.
The revised alert period now extends beyond the original bank holiday guidance, indicating that heat-related risks are expected to persist rather than ease as previously forecast.
By Sunday, the warmest air is expected to have cleared away to the south with temperatures closer to, but mostly above, average for the time of year for the whole of the UK.
The Met Office said Tuesday (May 26) was the hottest day in May on record for both England and Wales, with Kew Gardens provisionally reaching 35.1C and Cardiff Bute Park reaching 32.9C.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said the ‘exceedingly hot’ temperatures were ‘exceptional’.
“It really is an exceptionally warm or very hot spell at the moment," he added. “For any time of the year it’s hot, but for May in particular – it is still meteorological spring.
“In terms of how ground-breaking, how historic it is – it’s very similar to that first time that we reached 40C. The fact that we’ve exceeded the May temperature by such an amount really is extraordinary and quite worrying.”
Over the weekend, Sussex Police warned emergency services were facing increasing pressure amid the warm spell.
On Saturday evening, the force said it had already seen ‘significantly increased numbers of people’, travelling to beaches and beauty spots across Sussex districts as temperatures continued to rise.
Police also revealed officers had dealt with ‘multiple missing children’ during the day, with drone teams deployed to help search from the air.
The force said: “Thankfully, all incidents were resolved safely, but it highlights how quickly people can become separated in busy environments.”
Officers warned another busy period for emergency services was expected for the remainder of the bank holiday weekend and urged people to take precautions while enjoying the weather.
Sussex Police advised the public to stay hydrated, wear suitable sun protection and take extra care around open water, coastal areas and rivers.
The force warned that conditions around the sea can ‘change quickly’, particularly with large crowds gathering at beaches during periods of hot weather.