UK upgrades heat-health alert to amber

A woman rides a bus in London, Britain, on Sept. 6, 2023. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)

An amber alert indicates that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service. The alert is in place from midday on Tuesday until 9 p.m. on Sunday.

LONDON, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Kingdom (UK) upgraded the heat health warning from yellow to amber on Tuesday for eight of the country's nine regions as temperatures are expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday and remain high into the weekend.

An amber alert indicates that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service. The alert is in place from midday on Tuesday until 9 p.m. on Sunday.

People are seen on Westminster Bridge in London, Britain, on Sept. 6, 2023. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that "significant impacts," including increased mortality across the population, are probable, particularly for those aged 65 or above and those with health conditions.

It also noted the potential for a thundery breakdown in some places, especially from Friday onward.

According to the Met Office, this heatwave could bring with it the highest daytime temperatures of the year, most likely in the southeast, which could see 33 degrees Celsius.

Tourists ride a bus in London, Britain, on Sept. 6, 2023. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)

This June was the UK's hottest on record, with 32.2 degrees Celsius recorded on June 10.

The Met Office added that in addition to the high daytime temperatures this week, the air will also remain uncomfortably warm overnight, with a possibility of "tropical nights," when temperatures will not dip below 20 degrees Celsius. ■