Red warning for extreme heat across West Midlands

A rare red warning for extreme heat has been issued for parts of the West Midlands later this week.

The warning is in place from 09:00 on Wednesday until 21:00 BST Thursday and covers Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

A red warning, the most severe level of alert, indicated dangerous weather was expected and could lead to serious illness or danger to life and substantial travel disruption, the Met Office said.

The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a red heat-health alert covering six regions of England, including all of the West Midlands.

Temperatures across parts of England and Wales are set to increase significantly in the next few days with the potential for 39C in some areas.

A Met Office spokesperson said "population-wide adverse health effects" could be experienced, not limited to those who were most vulnerable to extreme heat.

It could also lead to power and other essential services, such as water, electricity, gas or mobile phone services, being affected.

Where a red warning is issued, the Met Office advises people to avoid travelling where possible and to keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11:00 to 15:00, when the sun is strongest.

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