Heatwave: advice, information and weather forecast for BCP

An amber alert for “extreme heat” will be in place with the Met Office warning the hot spell could lead to “potential serious illness or danger to life”.

People have been told “substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required”.

As we brace for the incoming heatwave, here is some essential advice, information and weather forecast.

What is happening next week?

An amber weather warning, which is the second highest the Met Office can issue, will be in force between midnight on Sunday, July 17 and 11.59pm on Tuesday, July 19.

It covers a huge swathe of the country including Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the rest of Dorset.

The Met Office said temperatures are likely to peak on Monday or Tuesday and are then expected to decline.

A spokesperson said: "Some exceptionally high temperatures are possible both by day and by night; the cumulative effects of very warm nights (particularly in urbanised areas) and hot days are likely to bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure."

In terms of what to expect, the Met Office says the following:

Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life. Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice

Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required

Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to increased risk of water safety incidents

Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays

How hot will it get in Dorset?

According to the Met Office forecast, Saturday will be sunny with highs of 22C, Sunday will see sunny intervals and highs of 23C, with 26C predicted for Monday and 25C on Tuesday.

However, Bournemouth-based weather enthusiast Bournemouth & Poole Weather said: “By Sunday warmer air gets dragged in at temps back close to 30C. Monday probably the big one for us, 34-36C possible and record breaking temps likely - more to come.”

What’s happening in our hospitals?

Hospitals have “very little bed space” and families are urged to help get patients home as extra pressure is expected as a result of the heatwave.

Poole Hospital is currently at 96.7 per cent capacity, while the Royal Bournemouth Hospital is at 98.4 per cent, ahead of a weekend which is expected to bring soaring temperatures.

Read more: Hospitals near 100 per cent occupancy as heatwave warning issued

How are homeless people being helped?

People have been urged to “take action” if they see a homeless person in the extreme heat expected for the rest of the week.

Although BCP Council has not activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to ensure homeless people could stay safe during the heatwave, local charity St Mungo’s has increased the number of shifts it will be carrying out day and night.

St Mungo’s will be handing out water and sun protection during the heatwave as well as helping people find places to shelter from the intense heat.

St Mungo's said: “We urge members of the public to take action if they see someone who is homeless. It can be as simple as offering a drink or some sun protection.

"Anyone concerned about a person who is street homeless can contact StreetLink which is a national service which connects people sleeping rough to local support. And, as ever, if someone is in an emergency situation people should call 999.”

What advice has the council issued?

BCP residents have been urged to ensure they have plenty of water and use the refill stations on the beach, use the Beach Check app, use the Park & Ride service at King's Park and try Avenue Road & Richmond Gardens car parks for a chance of getting a parking space. 

Will it be the hottest spell of weather ever?

The record high temperature in the UK is 38.7°C, which was reached at Cambridge Botanic Garden on 25 July 2019.

The Met Office’s Tony Wardle said: “Weather forecast models are run numerous times to help us quantify the likelihood of a particular event occurring and estimate the uncertainty which is always present in weather forecasting to some degree.

"For late this weekend and especially early next week, some runs of these models continue to allow exceptionally high temperatures to develop, which is something we’ll keep monitoring closely and adding details in the coming days as confidence increases.

“Some models had been producing maximum temperatures in excess of 40°C in parts of the UK over the coming weekend and beyond. These have highlighted the potential which exists in the developing weather situation, but it’s as yet uncertain if these values will materialise. Mid, to possibly locally high, 30s Celsius remains the most likely scenario.”