London heatwave: 'Rise in deaths' alert as temperatures could hit nearly 40C in homes in 'hottest May day ever'

Temperatures in London are expected to soar to around 40C in homes during the first heatwave of the year, with the potential for the hottest May day ever. The UK Health Security Agency has upgraded the heat health alert to amber, indicating a rise in deaths due to hot weather. London may be up to 10C hotter than surrounding rural areas because of the urban heat island effect. Some homes, especially those with glass frontages and limited ventilation, may overheat quickly. Impacts are expected across health and social services, including higher mortality risk for people aged 65 and over, increased demand on care services, overheating in hospitals and care homes, workforce challenges, and greater power demand.

"Londoners face temperatures soaring to 40C in their homes in the first heatwave of the year that could bring the hottest May day ever. This would be higher than the UK's current May temperature record of 32.8C. It has led to the UK Health Security Agency to upgrade its heat health alert to amber meaning a rise in deaths due to the hot weather."

"Temperatures tend to rise particularly sharply in London due to the "urban heat island' effect which means it can be 10C hotter than rural areas outside the capital. Some homes, particularly with glass frontages and only one external wall so there is no through draught, can be particularly vulnerable to overheating. Temperatures are due to rise over the Bank Holiday weekend."

"It stressed that significant impacts are likely across health and social services, including: a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions. There may also be impacts on younger age groups. likely increased demand on all health and social care services internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment the heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services indoor environments overheating increasing the risk to vulnerable people living independently in community and care settings."

"Christian Deilmann, managing director at tado smart heating systems, told the Standard: "Indoor temperatures typically rise progressively over consecutive days of hot weather, as heat gradually builds up inside homes, particularly in densely built urban areas such as London. For the first day of warm weather (Friday), previous tado data suggests some homes could already reach indoor te"

Read at www.standard.co.uk