Heatwave
What is the risk of a heatwave to Lincolnshire?
A heatwave is an extended period of hot weather. In the UK the heatwave threshold is met when a location records a period of at least three days in a row with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold. The threshold varies by UK county from 25 to 28 degrees. In Lincolnshire the threshold is 27 degrees.
A record-high temperature for the UK of 40.3ºC was recorded at Coningsby in Lincolnshire on the 19 July 2022.
You can find out more information about heatwaves from the Met Office Hot weather and its impacts
You can download the information used on this page via a bite-size risk information document.
How could a heatwave
affect you and your community?
Extreme hot weather can include heatwaves and drought
- Risk to life
- Health impacts on the elderly and vulnerable with extreme temperatures
- Disruption to utilities (such as water supplies)
- Damage to property, businesses, and agricultural land due to wild fires
- Risk to life of livestock
- Risk of water safety incidents with people visiting rivers/ lakes coastal areas to cool off
- Changes in working practices and daily routines to adapt to the conditions
We can all be better prepared to
respond and recover from heatwaves
Check that you have all the necessary equipment
Stock up on sunscreen, insect repellent and any hay fever medicine you need. You should also think about including a water bottle, sunscreen and a sun hat.
Check the pollen levels before heading out
Download the Met Office App so you can not only keep an eye on the forecast to understand the likelihood of any impactful weather in your area, but also stay up-to-date with the latest UV and pollen forecasts before heading outside.
Plan around the forecast
If you like spending time in your garden, plan to avoid the hottest part of the day and make sure that you have sunscreen, water and a wide brimmed hat.
Check your vehicle is ready for summer
If you're planning summer outings using your car, top up your screen wash and check your tyres, coolant and oil levels.
Look out for vulnerable neighbours
Share this checklist with your neighbours and see if you can help each other prepare for what the weather might bring. Just taking time to make contact will be appreciated.
Save water
Try to reduce and reuse water where possible both at home and at work.
Anglian Water have provided some water saving tips.
Fire Safety
Help prevent wildfires by having campfires and barbecues in designated areas and ensure they are extinguished fully with water. Disposing of litter properly, items such as glass bottles can focus the sun’s rays and start a fire. Disposing of cigarettes and smoking materials safely.
Wildfire prevention advice can be found on the National Fire Chief's Councils website.
Water Safety
Choose supervised swimming zones with lifeguards.
Avoid jumping or diving into unfamiliar water.
Wear a properly-fitted, activity-appropriate life jacket or buoyancy aid, especially if you're not a strong swimmer.
Don't swim in canals or quarries - serious incidents are common in these types of water, due to poor water quality, hidden debris under the surface, and unexpected currents.
for advice on water safety visit The Royal Life Saving Society
How to prepare
your business
How to prepare
your community
To respond to extreme weather
- Keep up to date with the weather forecast. The Met Office will issue Extreme Heat National Severe Weather Warnings in periods of high temperatures.
- The UK Health Security Agency will issue ‘Heat-Health Alerts’ These alerts focus on the health impacts from periods of high temperatures, which may particularly affect the health of vulnerable groups, such as people with underlying health conditions.
- Plan any journeys or activities with the weather in mind and take emergency supplies in your vehicle.
- Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated. Older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk.
- Stay cool indoors, close curtains and blinds in the daytime to keep indoor spaces cooler and open windows once it becomes cooler outdoors than indoors.
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially children or animals.
- Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest and avoid physical exertion in the hottest part of the day.
- Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the sun.
- Make sure you take water with you, if you are travelling.
- During warm weather going for a swim can provide much welcomed relief. If you are going into open water to cool down, take care and follow water safety advice The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)
- Wear loose clothing and use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor on exposed skin. Try to cover up to avoid sunburn.
- Check in on friends, neighbours and relatives who may be less able to look after themselves.
- Take care of pets in a heatwave, advice can be found here looking after pets during hot weather
Find your emergency contacts for a heatwave
Recovering from a heatwave if there is damage to your property
- Contact your insurance company if your home or belongings are damaged: they should help you find local contractors to complete repairs and help you replace items that are covered by your insurance plan.
- If you rent your property, speak to your landlord to make sure they’re aware of any damage to the property that they need to repair.
What can you do to support your community?
- Identify neighbours who may need assistance or who may be able to provide assistance to you.
- Find out how to prepare for an emergency
- Join or start an Emergency Community Group
- Make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe.
How prepared is your business?
- Complete the Business Resilience Health Check
- Make sure you have suitable business insurance, the Association of British Insurers provides useful advice and information.
- Consider communicating with other local businesses about your plans and how you could support each other.
What is being done to become
better prepared?
We work together to:
- Produce multi-agency plans to manage adverse weather events.
- Monitor the weather forecasts prior to any large events in the county.
- Receive and distribute early notifications of adverse weather.
- Plan and response to adverse weather.
- Develop response plans with infrastructure operators to deal with potential damage and restore utilities and travel routes as quickly as possible.
- plan for drought – water companies have a statutory duty to plan for drought.
- Plans include a range of actions to manage the supply and demand of water. The Environment Agency also has a framework which sets out how they work with government, water companies and others to manage water resources during a drought.
- Emergency Drought Orders – legislative orders can be issued to restrict water usage if required.
Who is responsible for managing
a heatwave in the county?
NHS 111 (Health impacts)
Lincolnshire County Council Customer Service centre 01522 782082 for reporting infrastructure issues such as blocked roads.
Met Office - Weather and climate change
Further resources
Some of our partners
