Official heatwave likely to be declared as UK temperatures soar

Social services and hospitals on alert for hot weather casualties, with no relief from heat expected until weekend

Maev Kennedy
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 30 June 2009 10.41 BST

An official heatwave health warning will be issued tomorrow morning, meaning that schools, hospitals, local authorities and social services must take action to avoid casualties, unless temperatures plummet tonight.
London and much of the south-east has already sweltered through two days where temperatures topped 30C, and tonight temperatures in the low 20s are expected in many areas. The lowest temperature anywhere in the Greater London area on Monday night was 18C.
The temperature hit 31C today at Heathrow. The highest temperatures recorded so far this week were 31.4C at Wisley in Surrey, and 30.4C in St James's Park, London, both on Monday.
The scorching end to the month made June the hottest, driest and sunniest month since July 2006. Ladbrokes has cut the odds on a record-breaking UK summer from 9-2 to 4-1.
According to climatologist Philip Eden, England and Wales had on average 222 hours of sunshine in June, 117% of the figure for 1971-2000, while rainfall was only 80% of the same period.
Already this week Tesco reports that sales of electrical fans are 20 times that of last week, and they expect to sell 100,000 before any relief from the heat is forecast at the weekend.
Tomorrow could be the hottest day of the year, with temperatures predicted to reach 33C.
The Met Office has issued a warning of heavy rain across most of Wales this evening, and advance warnings of thundery downpours in the west tomorrow which could cause localised flooding.
The hottest spell in three years is already leaving the elderly, very young, frail and those with breathing problems particularly vulnerable. Advice on health, travel, and how to manage the heat in homes, schools and workplaces is available on the government's Directgov website, drawing together information from the Met Office, NHS, and the Highways Agency.
During record temperatures in 2003, an estimated 2,000 people died from heat-related conditions.
NHS Direct and the London ambulance service, which will bear the brunt of pressure in the capital, are gearing up for a major demand on their services.
The UK's heatwave plan remains at level two, but the Met Office believes it will be raised to level three.
Official advice says anyone who can should stay indoors from noon to 3pm, draw curtains to shade rooms, drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen while outdoors.
Many schools are already keeping children out of playgrounds during breaktimes.
Care homes have been advised to monitor indoor temperatures four times a day, identify high-risk residents and prepare a cool room.
Officials are urging people to identify the coolest room in their home, stock up on essential supplies to cut down on shopping trips and check on neighbours, relatives and friends, especially those with mobility problems.
The Department of Health and the lifeboat service have warned people to be careful if going swimming.
A teenage boy, who has not yet been formally identified, drowned while swimming with three friends in the river Severn yesterday.
Search teams using a helicopter and boat recovered the boy's body. He was confirmed dead on arrival at Worcestershire Royal hospital.