Public Health Wales issues extreme heat advice for Wales as amber warning covers Deeside through Thursday
Public Health Wales has issued an urgent call for people to look out for one another as north Wales faces a period of extreme heat, with an amber warning in place for Deeside from Wednesday midnight through to Thursday night.
The health body says heat-related illness can affect anyone but the risks are greatest for older people, babies and very young children, and it is asking people to take a few minutes to check on neighbours who may be struggling.
The Met Office amber extreme heat warning covers North Wales through Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures of 36°C forecast for Hawarden on Thursday.
A red extreme heat warning has been issued for parts of central and southern England, but North Wales remains under amber.
Professor Sarah Jones, Consultant in Environmental Public Health for Public Health Wales, said: “We need to adapt the way that we live during spells of extreme heat to make sure we keep everyone well.”
“Taking just a few minutes to check in on family, friends and neighbours could be lifesaving. A knock at the door, a phone call or a simple text message can make a critical difference to someone who is struggling in the heat and may not be able to ask for help themselves.”
Public Health Wales says heat-related illness can affect anyone, but the risks are greatest for older people, babies and very young children, who can deteriorate quickly in high temperatures.
It advises people to stay in the shade, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and keep buildings cool by closing curtains, blinds and windows during the day and opening them again in the evening.
Sunscreen of SPF 30 or above with at least 4-star UVA protection is also recommended.
Babies and toddlers cannot regulate their body temperature well, Public Health Wales said, and parents should avoid covering prams or buggies with blankets or cloths as this can trap heat.
If someone feels unwell during the hot weather, the advice is to move to a cool place, rest, and drink water.
If symptoms worsen, it could become heatstroke, which is a medical emergency.
Anyone feeling unwell should tell someone, move to a cooler area, sip cold water, and avoid sugary, alcoholic, hot or caffeinated drinks.
Call NHS 111 for advice or 999 in an emergency.
The 36°C forecast for Hawarden on Thursday would come close to Wales’s all-time June temperature record of 33.7°C set in 2000.
This week is also expected to feel more oppressive than the July 2022 heatwave because of humidity.
The Met Office is forecasting dew points of around 22°C on Wednesday and Thursday, compared with single figures during the 2022 event, making it harder for the body to cool itself through sweating.
Overnight temperatures are expected to stay above 20°C on consecutive nights, what the Met Office calls a tropical night, which prevents the body from recovering from the heat of the day.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: “The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies.”
“There will be consecutive nights where temperatures do not drop below 20°C. This will make it very hard for people to recover from the daytime heat, exacerbating the heat stress impacts.”
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has also issued safety advice covering wildfires and water dangers.
The service said hot weather raises the risk of wildfires and BBQ-related incidents, and asked people to avoid lighting fires in open spaces, including disposable BBQs.
BBQs should not be left unattended or placed near fences or trees, and cigarettes should be disposed of safely.
Public Health Wales and the fire service both warned that water can remain dangerously cold even when air temperatures are high.
Anyone who gets into difficulty in the water should use the Float to Live technique, lying back with ears submerged, relaxing and controlling their breathing until help arrives.
Do not enter the water to help someone in difficulty, both organisations said, call 999 instead.
Public Health Wales also advised entering any open water slowly rather than jumping in, to reduce the risk of cold water shock.
Anyone planning strenuous activity outdoors should do so in the early morning or evening, and those going outside should consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat and loose-fitting clothing.
Readers in Wales should note that UK Health Security Agency heat health alerts, referenced in some national coverage, do not apply in Wales.
Heat health alerts for Wales are issued by Public Health Wales, and the latest advice is at phw.nhs.wales.
The Met Office forecast for Connah’s Quay shows temperatures of 29°C today, 32°C on Tuesday, 32°C on Wednesday and 38°C on Thursday before dropping to 26°C on Friday.
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