A rare red heat-health alert warning has been issued for Norfolk.
The alert means severe impacts are expected across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including increased risk to life across the whole population, with significant impacts on older people.
It is in place from 1am on Wednesday until 11pm on Thursday.
Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 30s across the county.
Thetford and Downham Market are anticipated to see the hottest weather with both locations hitting 33C, but the humidity will make it feel more like 41C.
The heat is also expected to affect the ability of the workforce to deliver services and water‑related incidents may increase, including risks from cold‑water shock and drowning.
READ MORE: Live updates as Norfolk prepares for near 40C heatwave
Red heat-health alerts are the highest level that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are able to issue.
Over the coming days, humid conditions are forecast alongside potentially tropical nights, when the overnight temperature does not fall below 20C, making it feel “muggier” than last month’s heatwave, the Met Office has said.
“It’s a very unusual, very rare spell of very hot weather, so it’s one of those ones where people should take care, try to keep their houses as cool as possible, check in on those that are vulnerable, so the very young and very old, in particular, are more vulnerable to extreme heat," Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said.
“But everybody will feel this because it will be very hot and the overnight temperatures, in particular, will mean that people won’t be getting as much sleep, probably, as they would usually do, so it will affect everyone.
“There’s also potential for impacts to transport as well.
“We know that when things get very warm, there can sometimes be issues with railway lines, and even possibility that some roads might not be doing too well.
“If it gets too warm, you may even see a little bit of tarmac melting at times.”
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