Heat-health alert issued for Sussex as hot weather expected to sweep across county

Sussex has been issued with its first heat-health alert of the year as hot weather is expected to sweep across the county this coming weekend. The alert, which is an amber warning, will be in place from 9am Friday (June 9) until 9am Monday (June 12),

The alert, which is in place across six UK regions, means that there could be increased pressure on the health service if forecasted temperatures – which could reach as high as 26 degrees in areas such as Crawley and Brighton – are reached. This means that vulnerable people could be at high risk of ill-health.

According to the new heat alert system, there will be an increased risk to the health of individuals over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It is also likely that indoor environments, including hospitals, could become “very warm”.

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With this spike in warm weather, people have been advised to check on people who are at higher risk and to be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them. People should also keep out the sun at the hottest times of the day, between 11am and 3pm, and should wear suitable clothing, seek shade and apply suncream when outside.

People should also continue to drink plenty of fluids, limit alcohol intake and only exercise at cooler times of the day. Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “In the coming days we are likely to experience our first sustained period of hot weather of the year so far, so it’s important that everyone ensures they keep hydrated and cool while enjoying the sun.”

Dan Harris, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Temperatures will rise later this week and into the weekend, with a plume of warm air being drawn in from the south. Temperatures over the weekend could peak around 30°C in some parts of England and remain well above average overnight through the weekend.