Met Office weather heatwave forecast today: Health alert as temperatures to reach 34C

A dangerous heat wave hit much of the Midwest and South on Tuesday, with temperatures hitting triple digits in Chicago and combining with the humidity to make it feel even hotter there and in other sweltering cities.

More than 100 million people were expected to be affected by midweek and authorities warned residents to stay hydrated, remain indoors when possible and be aware of the health risks of high temperatures.

Strong storms brought heavy rain and damaging wind to many of the affected areas on Monday, and more than 500,000 customers remained without power early Tuesday evening, including more than 350,000 in Ohio, according to https://poweroutage.us/.

Excessive heat warnings are in effect for much of Illinois and Indiana along with parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio from Tuesday through Wednesday night according to the National Weather Service.

Heat index values — which take into account the temperature and relative humidity and indicate how hot it feels outdoors — approached and topped 40C in some locations, including Chicago, the weather service said.

A heat advisory also was issued, stretching from as far north as Wisconsin down to the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf coast.

Calmer winds and cooler temperatures on Tuesday allowed firefighters across the western US to get a better handle on blazes that have forced hundreds of people from their homes.

As red flag warnings expired and winds died down in northern Arizona, firefighters took advantage of the weather changes to attack a 31-square-mile (81-square-kilometer) blaze by air and at the fire’s edges.

The forecast for later this week called for a chance of showers, which could dampen the blaze but might bring the chance of new fires from lightning strikes.

Meanwhile, authorities have downgraded evacuations for the larger of two wildfires burning on the outskirts of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Visitors were evacuated from parts of Yellowstone National Park on Monday after heavy rain brought flooding and mudslides to the country’s oldest national park.

Roads have been washed out and the park closed after the powerful floods swept through, upending operations in the busy park.

The Yellowstone River in Corwin Springs, Montana surpassed its previous record high water level by at least two feet, according to the US Geological Survey.

My colleague Ethan Freedman has the full story:

Racegoers have arrived in full force to enjoy a week of sport and fashion at Royal Ascot.

The annual event began on Tuesday 14 June and will go on until Saturday 18 June, during which spectators can expect hot weather.

For Wednesday, the Met Office forecasts: “Dry with light winds and long sunny spells. Becoming very warm or hot inland, though fresher at the coast where sea breezes may develop from late morning. Maximum temperature 28C.”

Throughout the rest of the week until Saturday, the forecaster predicts: “Dry and sunny Thursday. Similar Friday though a risk of showers later. Probably cloudier Saturday with a chance of rain or thunderstorms. Very warm or hot, perhaps very hot Friday.”

Parts of the South East, London and Wales could reach at least 27C and could rise to 34C on Friday, hotter than Portugal, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Canary Islands and Cyprus.

Sunbathers have been warned in advance against “overdoing it” as the temperatures soar.

Craig Snell, a Met Office forecaster, said: “Very high UV levels are expected in the south this week, meaning people should really avoid being in the sun during the midday hours.

“Wearing sunglasses, a shirt, a hat and sunscreen are essential to protect the eyes and skin, and drinking lots of water is important – long exposure to the sun can be dangerous.

“People should avoid overdoing it. We all love the sunny weather, but being sensible can help you avoid a nasty sunburn.”

A region of the Caribbean Sea is being closely monitored for signs of tropical development that could unfold later this week into this weekend.

The risk of tropical development has been increasing over the past couple of days.

Satellite imagery showed pockets of clouds and thunderstorms travelling across the western Caribbean.

Festival-goers attending Glastonbury can expect warm weather during the long weekend between 24 to 26 June. However, the Met Office forecasts possible rain and thunderstorms as well.

The forecaster said: “Temperatures will be average for most, but warmer in the south, with possible thundery conditions bringing potentially hot temperatures for southern regions.

“High pressure is likely to persist and move westwards through this period, bringing more unsettled and occasionally showery conditions across the UK associated with a north-westerly wind.”

Much of the UK press is breathlessly reporting the nation is set for the ‘hottest summer ever’ with ‘at least five heatwaves’ on the horizon.

News outlets published pictures of bikini-clad beachgoers enjoying the sunshine, and quoted James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, who said: “The overall summer forecast is now pointing towards at least four or five major heatwaves.”

But what many of these joyful news reports fail to mention is that these heatwaves are a direct result of climate change – and could cause sickness and death.

My colleague Samuel Webb has the full story:

The forecaster has issued a level 2 heat-health alert warning ahead of rising temperatures predicted for later this week.

On the four-level heat-health alert scale designed to help healthcare workers manage through periods of extreme temperatures, level 1 is the lowest warning and is the minimum state of vigilance used during the summer months.

Level 2, called alert and readiness, is triggered as soon there is 60 per cent risk that temperature thresholds will be reached in one or more regions on at least two consecutive days and the intervening night.

Tonight (Tuesday night): A fine and sunny evening across England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cloudy although rain will ease and clear. Overnight will then be dry and clear but thick cloud will build across Scotland and Northern Ireland and sink southwards into northern England by dawn. Rain for Scotland.

Tomorrow (Wednesday): A dry and bright day across England and Wales with spells of sunshine and variable patchy cloud. There will be thick cloud cover across Scotland and Northern Ireland with patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle, mostly across northern Scotland. Rain will be heavy in the north-west during the evening.

UK Outlook (Thursday and Friday): Sunny spells on Thursday across England and Wales however there will be thick cloud across Scotland and Northern Ireland with heavy rain later. It will be a hot day on Friday with lots of sunshine and blue skies. Northern Scotland will be cloudy with rain which will be locally heavy and persistent.