Greater Manchester under 72-hour 'risk to life' heatwave alert as temperatures set to hit 30C
The region was added to the UKHSA yellow alert on Sunday afternoon after initially being excluded. Greater Manchester is forecast to meet heatwave criteria from Monday to Wednesday, with drought conditions already in force across much of the UK.
On this page(2)
Greater Manchester has been placed under a 72-hour "risk to life" heatwave alert, with temperatures forecast to hit 30C and the region set to meet official heatwave criteria for the fifth time this year.
The UKHSA yellow heat-health alert came into effect at 9am on Sunday (August 3) and runs until 9am on Wednesday (August 5). The North West was not included when the alert was first issued, but was added on Sunday afternoon as forecasts were updated.
Will it be a heatwave?
Greater Manchester is forecast to reach its heatwave threshold of three consecutive days above 25C: 25C on Monday, 30C on Tuesday and 25C on Wednesday.
The Met Office said the "hot and humid" spell is not expected to last long, with "scattered thundery downpours" also in the forecast. Rain would be welcome for many, as large parts of the UK are in drought following weeks of dry and hot weather, with water restrictions in force for millions of people.
What does the alert mean?
The UKHSA warns of increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, a greater risk to life for vulnerable groups, indoor environments becoming very warm, and a rise in water-related incidents including cold-water shock and drowning.
A more significant amber alert is in force for the East Midlands, East of England, London and the South East, where impacts are expected to be more severe, including a potential rise in deaths among those aged 65 and over.
Only the North East has no warning in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does the heat alert for Greater Manchester end?
- The yellow heat-health alert is currently scheduled to remain in place until 9am on Wednesday.
- How hot will it get in Greater Manchester?
- Temperatures are forecast to peak at 30C on Tuesday, with highs of 25C expected on both Monday and Wednesday.
- What does a yellow heat-health alert mean?
- A yellow alert indicates that weather conditions could pose a risk to vulnerable individuals and potentially increase demand on health and social care services.