UK weather: Heat health alert issued for South East as temperatures forecast to reach 29°C in Milton Keynes

The Met Office is forecasting temperatures to reach 29°C in Milton Keynes, as a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) yellow heat health alert is issued for South East England.

The yellow heat health alert will be in place for the South East from 3pm on Wednesday 17 June to 8pm on Monday 22 June.

The alert reads: “Minor impacts are likely across health and social care services, including: increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people, greater risk to life of vulnerable people, increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm, water‑related incidents may increase, including risks from cold‑water shock and drowning.

Wednesday 17 June is expected to be a cloudy day in Milton Keynes, with a top temperature of 22°C and a low temperature of 15°C. There is a highest wind gust of 25mph.

Sunny intervals are forecast for Milton Keynes on Thursday 18 June, with a top temperature of 25°C and a low temperature of 14°C. There is a highest wind gust of 23mph.

Friday 19 June is forecast to be a sunny day in Milton Keynes, with a top temperature of 27°C and a low temperature of 15°C. There is a highest wind gust of 26mph.

Temperatures are forecast to drop slightly on Saturday 20 June, with a top temperature of 23°C and a low temperature of 14°C. There is a highest wind gust of 19mph.

Temperatures are predicted to rise again on Sunday 21 June, with a top temperature of 27°C and a low temperature of 17°C. There is a highest wind gust of 16mph.

Monday 22 June looks to be an even warmer day in Milton Keynes, with a top temperature of 29°C and a low temperature of 17°C. There is a highest wind gust of 16mph.

Tom Crabtree, Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, said: “Friday is set to be the warmest day of the week, but it’s important to note that peak temperatures could be impacted by cloud cover. Temperatures are likely to range from 26 to 28°C, with the potential to approach 30°C in parts of southeast England.

“Elsewhere temperatures will remain closer to average but could be warm at times in parts of Wales and the west Midlands."

Staying safe in cold water

The Met Office has warned that sea surface temperatures are not as high as they would be in mid-summer. The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has free, accessible water safety resources available, as part of drowning prevention week this week.

You can find water safety advice on the Met Office website and in the Met Office app, featuring a dedicated beach forecast with tide times, wave heights and sea-surface temperatures, as well as guidance on UV and pollen levels.