Met Office upgrades amber weather warning across the UK as heatwave sweeps the country

• Things are hotting up across the UK with fiery weather set to scorch the shores
• It has prompted concerns over whether people will be able to sleep and health 

A heat health warning over the weekend for parts of England has been upgraded from yellow to amber by the UK Health Security Agency.

It comes as temperatures are expected to hit 30C – making it hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife as a ‘plume of warm air’ moves in from the south – while some thunderstorms are also expected. 

The initial alert was issued on Wednesday for six regions of England, London, the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South East and South West.

On Thursday the warning was escalated for the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East and South West.

The amber level means the impact of the weather is ‘likely to be felt across the whole health service… and the wider population, not just the most vulnerable’.

The UKHSA further issued a yellow alert for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regions. Teamed with the Met Office, it analyses the weather conditions to predict the heat risk to the nation. 

All alerts are in place between 9am on Friday and 9am on Monday June 12. Saturday in particular is expected to be the hottest day of 2023 so far. 

It comes as sunseekers have packed out Britain’s beauty spots to bathe in 24C sunshine while revellers flock to Download music festival ahead of this weekend’s hot weather. 

Revellers have been seen basking in the sun as they arrive at Download Festival, in Castle Donnington, while sunbathers were seen in Green Park, London. 

There were also people packing out beaches and lidos in Dorset. 

Cloud, rain and thunderstorms are also set to sweep in, with the nights becoming humid.

The warning, which is in place from 2pm to 9pm, states: ‘Whilst many places will be largely dry, thunderstorms with heavy rain and hail are likely to develop in some places on Saturday afternoon.’

There will ‘likely’ be some impacts across the health and social care sector if forecasted temperatures are reached, the UKHSA said, with over-65s and those with pre-existing health conditions most at risk.

Dr Agostinho Sousa from the UKHSA said: ‘In the coming days we are likely to experience our first sustained period of hot weather of the year so far, so it’s important that everyone ensures they keep hydrated and cool while enjoying the sun.

‘Forecasted temperatures this week will primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

‘If you have friends, family or neighbours who you know are more vulnerable to the effects of hot weather, it is important you check in on them.

‘You should ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.’

Most of Wales is set to see ‘long sunny spells’ on Friday, before temperatures climb to 25C over the weekend when there will be ‘thundery’ showers, the Met Office said.

Northern Ireland and large parts of Scotland will be breezier and cooler than the rest of the country on Friday and Saturday, before heavy rainfall moves in on Sunday.

The Met Office defines a heatwave as when a location records a period for at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold.

The threshold varies by UK county, ranging between 25C and 28C in areas in England and Wales.

Dan Harris, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘Temperatures will rise later this week and into the weekend, with a plume of warm air being drawn in from the south.

‘Temperatures over the weekend could peak (at) around 30C in some parts of England and remain well above average overnight through the weekend.

‘Coupled with the rise in temperatures is an increase in the likelihood of some potentially heavy and thundery showers, which could bring some localised disruption for some from late on Friday and into the weekend.’

And experts have warned households to consider rocketing electricity prices when reaching for a fan as the year’s first heatwave arrives. 

The cost of keeping cool has risen by more than 75% in the past two years as prices have soared during the energy crisis.