Preston under heat health alert until Thursday as weather to stay warm

Enjoying the sunshine on the Flag Market on Preston city centre Pic: Tony Worrall

A heat health alert has been issued for Preston – and the majority of the UK – by the UK Health Security Agency.

The warning is in place from 8am this morning (24 June) until 5pm on Thursday (27 June) with the majority of the country expected to see the hottest temperatures of the year.

A warning from the UKHSA means that vulnerable members of the population are more likely to access healthcare services due to an increased risk of mortality. They are issued in partnership with the Met Office.

The Met Office predicts Preston’s weather will peak at 25C today and on Wednesday (26 June).

Dan Rudman, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said at the weekend: “After a brief, less settled interlude today and tomorrow, fine conditions will return by Sunday and into the beginning of next week. For much of the UK this will be accompanied by a boost in temperatures with many places reaching the mid-20°Cs.

“Some central and southern areas are likely to see temperatures approaching the values needed for heatwave conditions. Heatwave conditions need to remain in situ for three consecutive days, and by the beginning to middle of next week it is possible that some parts of the UK could be reaching heatwave thresholds.

“However, whether or not everyone experiences heatwave thresholds, the majority of the UK will experience the highest temperatures so far this year.”

The confidence in the forecast is lower from Wednesday onwards, the Met Office said. With the hot weather, comes a higher likelihood of unsettled conditions and therefore heavy rain and thunderstorms are also possible during this period.

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