Chance of heatwave conditions in Cornwall is 80%, according to Met Office

A Level 2 'Heat Health Alert has been issued, with Friday expected to be the hottest day

Author: Emma HartPublished 16th Jun 2022

There is an 80% probability of heatwave conditions in Cornwall, as temperatures across the South West continue to rise.

That is according to the Met Office 'Heat Health' page, after the meteorological service and UK Health Security Agency issued a Level 2 alert for the region.

A Level 2 alert is triggered as soon as the risk is 60% or above for threshold temperatures being reached in one or more regions on at least two consecutive days and the intervening night.

The Met Office says this is an important stage for social and healthcare services who will be working to ensure readiness and swift action to reduce harm from a potential heatwave.

The East Midlands is also on a Level 2, or yellow, alert, but that has risen to an amber alert for London and the South East.

Forecasters say temperatures in the South West and other areas covered by the Heat Health alert are expected to peak on Friday 17th June.

The Met Office say some parts of the UK might feel warmer than destinations like Greece and even parts of Hawaii.

What is the forecast?

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: "For Cornwall, temperatures will climb into the mid-20s, possibly even the high 20s by the time that we get to Friday.

"With the hot weather there's a lot of sunshine as well so there will be very high UV levels and we're expecting a heatwave for much of the country.

"I think eastern Europe isn't as hot as western Europe, it's Spain, France and the UK which are starting to see these very high temperatures this week.

"So potentially some holiday destinations like Greece, even parts of Hawaii as well, might be a touch cooler than we get in the UK so it's definitely more of a holiday feel over the next few days during this heatwave".

You will find the latest 'Heat Health Alert' information on the Met Office website.

Both the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency are urging people to take extra care in the hot weather, with the UV forecast at high (amber) or very high (red) and the pollen forecast at very high (red).

How can I stay safe in the warm weather?

Meteorologist Becky Mitchell added: "Peak heat tends to be between midday and 4pm, so the general advice during very hot weather would be to stay out of the sun during those times as much as possible. Of course that's not always an option but if you are out and about, UV levels are very high at the moment so do take some sun protection with you as well.

"To keep cool during the day, you can keep your windows, curtain and blinds shut to keep out the hot air.

"During the night-time when we tend to get the slightly cooler air, the advice is, again, to keep those curtain shut but open your windows to let the cooler air in at night.

"So there's a few different things - and obviously just to stay hydrated as well".

More hot weather safety advice can be found on the UK Health Security Agency website.

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