HEAT HEALTH ALERT ISSUED FOR WEST MIDLANDS AS TEMPERATURES FORECAST TO HIT 33C

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for the West Midlands as temperatures are forecast to climb to between 30C and 33C across central and southern England and parts of Wales from Saturday onwards. The alert will take effect at 9am on Saturday 8 August and expire at 9pm on Tuesday 11 August. Mercury levels had fallen back towards seasonal averages from Wednesday but are expected to rise again from Saturday, according to the Met Office. Friday is forecast to be a "nice, dry, settled day with quite a bit of warm sunshine around", the Met Office stated.

Yellow heat health alerts caution that elevated temperatures could place considerable strain on health and social care services in affected regions, with a potential surge in fatalities particularly amongst those aged 65 and above or those with pre-existing health conditions. This summer has already witnessed two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June, which resulted in more than 2,800 excess deaths according to provisional data, with two further heatwaves in July contributing to drought conditions and wildfires. Last month proved to be the driest July for England and Wales since records began in 1836, according to the Met Office.

The alert covers the area containing Birmingham and the Black Country amongst other regions. This marks the latest in a series of heat health warnings issued during an exceptionally warm summer across Britain. The continued warm weather poses particular risks to vulnerable populations during the upcoming period.