Heat wave alert issued for South-East England as temperatures soar

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on Monday issued yellow heat health warnings as a heat wave is expected to push temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

This warning, in effect until Wednesday, excludes only the north-east and north-west of England.

Forecasters predict temperatures in London will peak at 30 C on Monday, rising to 32 C on Tuesday, before slightly decreasing to 29 C on Wednesday and Thursday.

The UKHSA cautioned that the hot weather could have "significant impacts" on health and social care services, particularly in the south-east and London, where the effects of extreme heat are expected to be most pronounced.

The current heat wave is attributed to a shift in weather patterns from lower to higher pressure, facilitated by a weakening jet stream to the west of the UK.

High pressure results in descending air from the atmosphere, leading to drier, more stable, and sunnier conditions.