Met Office forecasts highs of 28C for York amid heat alert

The Met Office has forecast highs of 28C for York on Tuesday (August 4).

It comes as the heat health warning has been issued for York by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) from Monday until Wednesday.

UKHSA has warned the latest high temperatures could put extra pressure on the NHS, with more vulnerable people likely to require medical treatment.

Forecasters expect temperatures in York to peak on Tuesday then sit between 19C and 22C throughout the week and into the weekend.

The Met Office has forecast sunny intervals throughout the week with the chance of showers overnight.

It comes after Met Office statistics revealed England and Wales have recorded their driest July on record.

Just Yorkshire and the North East remain in normal status, with all of Wales and half of England officially in drought.

Met Office experts have warned weather conditions in August are not looking favourable for delivering the kind of sustained rain needed to reverse the dry conditions.

The extreme summer has hit Europe-wide, with wildfires raging across France and Spain, in blazes that analysis shows are made more likely by climate change.

The UK is facing the impacts of increasingly extreme weather such as droughts and heatwaves fuelled by human-caused climate change, which is caused mostly by burning fossil fuels.

Polly Ashmore, of the UKHSA, said: “Periods of hot weather can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.

“We are urging health and social care services in affected regions to ensure they are prepared, and reminding people to look out for elderly relatives, neighbours and those with underlying health conditions, making sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.

“Simple steps such as staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool are some of the key ways to help keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather.”

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The prime minister’s official spokesman has defended Andy Burnham over questions from journalists that the drought was not a priority for him.

He said Mr Burnham had spoken and made announcements on a number of different issues including the cost of living, devolution, social care, migration and defence “but clearly he’s only been in post briefly”.

He said the government took climate change seriously, and was working with farmers, the Environment Agency and the water sector to manage the impacts of the exceptionally dry weather.

And amid rumours Mr Burnham may relax Labour’s stance against new North Sea drilling, the spokesman added that the prime minister had been clear the government will take “pragmatic approach”, with oil and gas a part of the mix.

But the only way to bring bills down for good is by taking control with “clean homegrown power to deliver energy security”, he said.