Hampshire’s heat health alert has been elevated to amber status as weekend temperatures are set to climb significantly across the county.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office have raised the previous yellow warning to amber level, effective from 12pm today (June 19) through to 9am Monday, June 23. The enhanced alert encompasses the whole of England.
Portsmouth is expected to see temperatures reach 27°C today, with the mercury rising further to 28°C on both Saturday and Sunday, according to Met Office forecasts.
The amber classification indicates that “significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures”.
Sunshine and warmth set to continue across Hampshire
Health officials warn the elevated temperatures could trigger several concerning effects, including:
- Increased mortality rates, particularly affecting those over 65 and individuals with existing health conditions, with potential impacts on younger demographics
- Heightened pressure on health and social care provision
- Care facilities including hospitals and care homes may experience internal temperatures above recommended clinical thresholds
- Reduced workforce capacity to maintain service delivery
- Overheating in indoor settings, raising risks for vulnerable residents in community and care environments
- Complications with medication storage and management
- Staff shortages due to transport and other external disruptions
- Power demand potentially exceeding supply capacity
- Wider sectoral disruption including possible travel delays
The warning remains active as the region prepares for what forecasters describe as a sustained period of elevated temperatures.
