Bolton amber weather warning issued as temperatures rise

Temperatures in Bolton are set to rise from today.

Highs today will be 29C reaching 30C tomorrow, before dropping slightly to 29 until Sunday.

Amber warning means the weather could have an impact no health, transport and infrastructure.

In terms of what to expect, the Met Office said:

• Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat
• The wider population are likely to experience some adverse health effects including sunburn or heat exhaustion (dehydration, nausea, fatigue) and other heat related illnesses
• Some changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
• An increased chance that some heat-sensitive systems and equipment may fail.

More people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes, rivers and other beauty spots leading to an increased risk of water safety and fire-related incidents.

Some delays to road, rail and air travel are possible, with potential for welfare issues for those who experience prolonged delays

You can find out more about the weather warning via the Met Office website.

Temperatures however are not expected to be as extreme as those experienced in July when the new national records were set.

How to keep safe

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust have issued advice on how to enjoy the heat safely.

A spokesperson for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust said: "We're sure you've noticed, but it's a little bit warm out there at the moment.

"Don’t get us wrong, a bit of heat is lovely (the increased excuse for a 99 is certainly enjoyable) but before we get too excited about how much of a tan line our watch or glasses have made, for some people too much hot weather can bring on heat-related health issues."

The trust is urging people to 

• Keep an eye out for the more vulnerable members of your family, your friends or your loved ones.

"They may struggle to keep cool and hydrated, especially anyone with underlying health conditions or if they live alone."

• "Keep hydrated – water is the one! "We know that some of you will be rolling your eyes here and thinking ‘why is my local NHS trust telling me to drink?’ Well, take it from us: we’d rather remind you to drink water now than be treating you for dehydration later."
• Don’t leave infants, young children and animals in closed, parked cars either (this probably applies all year round, to be honest).

"Unless your car has a seven swimming pool, five slide water park with wave machine, lazy river and log flume inside it, then we’ll talk.

"Also, enjoy the shade.

"No, we’re not talking about throwing shade - staying in the shade and out of direct sunlight is for sure a good thing in this weather."

• Put on sunscreen

"If you're inside, closing your curtains/blinds should help keep your home/office/workplace/treehouse/garage/portacabin cool(er)."

• Never, never jump into or swim in open water.

"Get yourself to a swimming pool instead".

The spokesman added: "Yes, it’s probably not going to be as hot as the frankly ridiculous weather we had the other week, but we want the best for you.

"If you’ve had an accident, an emergency or have a life-threatening issue, then please come to us, as always.

"If it's less urgent, contact 111 online or by phone, call your GP or ring their out of hours service, speak with a pharmacist or use your medicine cabinet (if appropriate).

"Otherwise, stay safe, enjoy the sunny weather and look out for each other."

The Met Office has raised the Fire Severity Index to exceptional – the highest level – for much of southern England, and stretching as far west as Abergavenny in Wales, for Sunday, concerns wildfires could break out.

Bolton was hit with wildfires for months in 2018.

2018 Winter Hill fire

Riccardo La Torre, national officer for the Fire Brigades Union, has warned that services across the UK are “completely unprepared” for the level of risk posed by the imminent heatwave.

Mr La Torre told Sky News: “These are brutal, brutal fires to fight. The temperature that they burn at, the speed at which they spread at.

“The reality is we’ve been left completely unprepared to do that as a fire and rescue service.

“We’ve had over a fifth of the workforce cut since 2010, that’s over 11,500 firefighters cut. Yet we’re asking them to deal with these extreme weather events in increasing regularity and increasing severity.

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“The professionals on the ground have been warning that these conditions are coming and we very much saw the reality of that in these last few weeks.

“Firefighters have been injured, firefighters have ended up in hospital, we’ve seen families lose their homes, we’ve seen businesses lost, infrastructure burn to the ground, because we simply can’t get to these fires quick enough.

“When we do, we simply don’t have the resources to deal with them adequately.”

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno