Health warning to UK as temperatures soar to 30C within DAYS: Officials issue yellow heat alert across England with fears of 'significant impacts' in health and social care - as hay fever sufferers also brace for 'pollen bomb'
A health warning has been issued for most of England as temperatures look set to soar to 30C (86F).
The alert was issued for all but one region – the North East – with some areas advised of 'significant impacts' in the health and social care sector.
The yellow warning from the UK Health Security Agency and Met Office will be in force from tomorrow until Thursday afternoon.
It came as hay fever and asthma sufferers were warned to expect a 'pollen bomb' today, triggered by rising temperatures after weeks of cold and rain. Forecasters say the entire country, except the Scottish Highlands, will have 'very high' pollen levels.
The charity Asthma + Lung UK is urging those with severe symptoms to 'avoid going outdoors as much as possible' to prevent severe attacks.
The yellow health alert warning from the UK Health Security Agency and Met Office will be in force from tomorrow until Thursday afternoon
It came as hay fever and asthma sufferers were warned by the Met Office to expect a 'pollen bomb' today
NEWCASTLE -- Sunbathers make the most of the sunshine on Friday by enjoying a relaxing break in the city centre
DORSET -- Sunbathers yesterday headed to the beach at seaside resort Weymouth to enjoy the glorious sunshine
Experts say the cold weather and record rain levels since April mean grass has retained much of its pollen, which has built up and is now ready to be released.
'When the weather is warm and dry, grass tends to release more pollen,' said Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge.
'A sudden heatwave after a period of cool temperatures – such as the one occurring this week – therefore causes a burst of pollen release.'
The effects of the pollen bomb are expected to continue until the end of the week, when rain is forecast.
The warning comes as Britain prepares to be hit by a heatwave next week with the mercury set to peak at 27C on Wednesday.
Dan Rudman, Met Office deputy chief meteorologist, said most parts of the country will bask in mid-20c heat from the beginning of next week.
'Some central and southern areas are likely to see temperatures approaching the values needed for heatwave conditions, ' he said.
'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 soaring temperatures could see more Britons stay at home to work behind their desks as they shun getting on stuffy trains.
The searing heat the day after England play their crucial final group game against Slovenia at Euro 2024 could also mean fans will be nursing hangovers.
Britain is preparing to be hit by a heatwave next week with the mercury set to peak at 27C on Wednesday
ESSEX -- People laid out towels and donned their swimwear to relax on Clacton beach on Friday
ESSEX -- Families frolicked on the sand and played in the seawater at Clacton beach on Friday
DORSET -- Poppy Gibbs, 27, and her children Bugsy, four, and Binky, three, walk along the shore on Bournemouth beach on Friday
ESSEX -- People play with a beach ball as they enjoy the warm weather at Clacton Beach on Friday
NORTH TYNESIDE -- Ryder Ferguson, 5, Ruby Louise Gilchrist, 2, and Meilliah Rose Ferguson, 9, have fun building sandcastles at Cullercoats Bay beach
Alan Price, the chief executive of BrightHR, told The Telegraph HR departments are on standby for a plethora of leave requests from Brits wanting to go outside and enjoy the sun.
'If previous heatwaves in the UK are anything to go by, businesses should be preparing themselves for a whirlwind of HR chaos, from employees calling in sick to enjoy the sun to a flood of last-minute holiday requests,' he said.
The daily average of annual leave requests swelled by 139 per cent and sickness absences increased by 123 per cent during a heatwave in June 2022, he said.
However, according to Andrew Hunter, co-founder of job search engine Adzuna, the employers should offer more flexibility to staff as the extreme heat increases the risk of well-being and productivity.
'Such as work-from-home arrangements or adjusted start times, to beat the heat and help their team maintain peak performance,' he said.
