A yellow heat-health alert has been issued for the whole of the North West this week by The UK Health Security Agency.

The yellow heat-health alert is in effect from 8am today (Monday, June 24), to 5pm on Thursday, June 27.

Minor impacts are reported as 'probable' across the health and social care sector this week, including 'increased use of healthcare services by the vulnerable population'.

Impacts also include an 'increase in risk of mortality amongst vulnerable individuals and increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm'.

In Blackburn, the Met Office predicts temperature highs of 25C from today through until Thursday, before falling into the high teens at the weekend.

UV levels and pollen levels are also set to remain high all week, meaning sun cream and antihistamines for hayfever sufferers are a must.

The UK Health Security Agency expect the hot weather to have minor impacts across the health and social care sector for every region in England, except the North East.

Other areas with a yellow heat-health alert include Yorkshire and The Humber, the West Midlands, East Midlands, South West, South East, London and the East of England.

Tonight it will be a warm and dry evening with some late sunshine on offer.

Clear spells are likely overnight, although some low cloud and mist is likely to form later. 

Tuesday will be another mostly fine day with further spells of very warm sunshine developing after a grey start in places.

However, thicker cloud may produce the odd shower later.

It is possible that some areas might reach the Met Office’s official heatwave criteria.

Run by the UKHSA and the Met Office, the weather health alert system was introduced in June 2023.

Heat health alerts are typically issued between June 1 and September 30, with cold health alerts between November 1 and March 30.

The system issues warnings to members of the public, and sends guidance directly to NHS England, the government and other healthcare professionals during periods of adverse weather.