Heatwave implications: Droughts, wildfires and flash flooding

The Met Office’s amber extreme heat warning is now in place, alongside a Level 3 heat health warning, meaning that adverse health effects are likely in the vulnerable.

Alongside health implications, there are also environmental and economical ones to consider.

We are already seeing hosepipe bans enforced across parts of England because of the drought conditions. Reservoirs across England are at less than half their capacity, following the driest July since 1935. With the extremely parched, dry soils, there comes a risk of crop spoiling.

Even if you are in a location where a hosepipe ban is not in force, you can still do your bit to help conserve water.

The fire severity risk has also been raised to the highest level, with the dry vegetation alongside high temperatures acting as the ideal firestarter. A breeze also helps to fan the flames.

To help combat wildfires, refrain from outdoor disposal barbecues, especially in non-designated areas, don’t litter cigarette butts, matches or glass bottles, which can magnify the sun’s rays.

Showers and thunderstorms look to be a possibility heading into next week. However, whilst we are in desperate need of some rain, it’s not exactly the kind we want.

The short, sharp bursts from showers won’t even scratch the surface of replenishing the reservoirs and aquifers, but it will put us at risk of flash flooding if they are heavy in nature.

This is because the soils will be too dry to absorb any water, so will just puddle on the surface, producing standing surface water and localised flooding. The likelihood of us seeing any substantial, effective rain may not come until autumn however.