A health alert has been issued for Birmingham and the Black Country as a 'prolonged' heatwave is set to bring temperatures hotter than Spain this Bank Holiday weekend. The Met Office has confirmed that 15 towns in England will hit 30C, with the heatwave expected to last 14 days and break records dating back to 1922.
Health Warning for Birmingham and Black Country
The Birmingham and Black Country region has seen a 'rise in deaths' according to health officials, who have issued a warning as temperatures soar. The heatwave is expected to be 'exceptional', with the exact hour it starts and ends announced. Drivers are also being told to push one button this weekend to slash petrol costs, while British Gas has shared vital advice ahead of the 27C heatwave.
All the Midlands Towns Set to Miss Out
While many areas will bask in the heat, a full list of Midlands towns set to miss out on the first UK heatwave of summer has been released. The heatwave is also expected to trigger a phenomenon not seen in England for 70 years, and a new UK heatwave law for workplaces is on the table.
Motorists in England have been told to read a 'crucial' label on their car door before Sunday, as the heatwave could affect vehicle performance. Meanwhile, free or cheap ways for Brits to make homes cooler in a heatwave have been shared, along with advice on staying safe.
The Met Office, BBC, and Sky News have all issued UK heatwave updates with different start dates, but the consensus is that the heatwave will be 'quite rare' and break a 14-year-old record. The exact start and end date have been announced, with the heatwave upgraded to 'African blowtorch' status and expected to be even hotter than initially forecast.
Birmingham's forecast includes 'thundery showers' this bank holiday weekend, despite the overall heatwave. The heatwave is expected to last 14 days with no rain in England for weeks, and 18 counties in England will miss out on the first 30C heatwave of the year.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
