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What do the warning colours mean?

Red warning

  • Dangerous weather is expected and, if you have not done so already, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather.
  • It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.

Amber warning

  • There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans.
  • This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property.

Yellow warning

  • Yellow warnings can be issued for a range of weather situations.
  • It is important to read the content of yellow warnings to determine which weather situation is being covered by the warning.

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UK weather warnings

Amber warning
Extreme heat
09:00
Today
UTC+1
23:59
Today

Very high temperatures may lead to impacts on Thursday.

What should I expect?

  • Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat
  • The wider population is likely to experience some adverse health effects including sunburn or heat exhaustion (dehydration, nausea, fatigue) and other heat-related illnesses
  • Some changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
  • Some heat sensitive systems and equipment may fail, with the potential for some power cuts and the loss of other services to some homes and businesses.
  • More people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to an increased risk of water safety incidents
  • Some delays to road, rail and air travel are possible, with potential for welfare issues for those who experience prolonged delays

What should I do?

Keep yourself safe by following these simple steps to reduce the likelihood of the heat making you feel unwell; drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am-3pm when the sun is strongest and close curtains in rooms that face the sun. If you are going out take water with you, stay in the shade, wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. If using public transport, there are many simple things you can do to keep yourself safe; carry water with you, take a small hand-held battery powered fan, if you feel unwell get off at next stop for some fresh air, dress in light fabrics in light colours to help stay cooler, keep an eye on fellow passengers for signs they may be struggling. Help to protect vulnerable people that you know including older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone; they may need support to keep cool and stay hydrated. If you are worried about your health, or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111. Keep yourself safe whilst enjoying the water in this weather by following these simple steps: enter the water gradually, avoiding jumping or diving straight in, to reduce your risk of cold water shock, go to a lifeguarded beach or a supervised swimming area, and, if you, or anyone else, get into difficulty in the water, float on your back. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow any advice from emergency services and local authorities.

Further detail

Following a warm night, a spell of very hot weather will affect England on Thursday. The highest temperatures will be in parts of the the Midlands and western England, where 37 or even 38 Celsius could be reached. This may lead to impacts on transport, infrastructure and health.

Why is the warning amber?

This warning has a medium likelihood and a medium impact.

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Last updated

Reason: Warning area updated and further details as highest temperatures are expected to occur further west.

Regions and local authorities affected:

East Midlands

  • Derby
  • Derbyshire
  • Leicester
  • Leicestershire
  • Lincolnshire
  • Northamptonshire
  • Nottingham
  • Nottinghamshire
  • Rutland

East of England

  • Bedford
  • Cambridgeshire
  • Central Bedfordshire
  • Essex
  • Hertfordshire
  • Luton
  • Norfolk
  • Peterborough
  • Suffolk
  • Thurrock

London & South East England

  • Bracknell Forest
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Greater London
  • Milton Keynes
  • Oxfordshire
  • Reading
  • Slough
  • Surrey
  • West Berkshire
  • Windsor and Maidenhead
  • Wokingham

North West England

  • Cheshire East
  • Cheshire West and Chester
  • Greater Manchester

South West England

  • Gloucestershire
  • South Gloucestershire
  • Swindon
  • Wiltshire

West Midlands

  • Herefordshire
  • Shropshire
  • Staffordshire
  • Stoke-on-Trent
  • Telford and Wrekin
  • Warwickshire
  • West Midlands Conurbation
  • Worcestershire

Yorkshire & Humber

  • North Lincolnshire
  • South Yorkshire
Yellow warning
Thunderstorm
11:00
Today
UTC+1
06:00
Tomorrow

Showers and thunderstorms bringing some disruption to travel and infrastructure

What should I expect?

  • Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
  • There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds
  • Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services
  • There is a small chance that some communities become cut off by flooded roads
  • There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost
  • There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life

What should I do?

Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured. Items include: bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area, move to lower ground. Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.

Further detail

A warm and very humid day across Northern Ireland will help in the development of scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms. Whilst many areas will miss these, where they develop 10-20 mm of rain could fall in less than an hour, with a chance of a few areas seeing 20-30 mm in less than an hour. This could lead to some flooding in places. Lightning, hail and gusty winds will be additional hazards.

By evening showers and thunderstorms may merge into longer spells of rain, especially across western areas.

Why is the warning yellow?

This warning has a very low likelihood and a medium impact.

Very
likely
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to
Unlikely
Very low
impact
to High
impact

Issued

Regions and local authorities affected:

Northern Ireland

  • County Antrim
  • County Armagh
  • County Down
  • County Fermanagh
  • County Londonderry
  • County Tyrone
Warnings are in force for:

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