It has been 12 months since the UK introduced yellow, amber and red coding to warn the public about potentially dangerous temperatures and other climate conditions.
Now, an evaluation by the University of Surrey’s Institute for Sustainability Innovation Hub has conducted the first full analysis of how effective this system is.
According to the researchers, the programme is working well with emergency planners, local authorities, social and healthcare providers, alongside other groups responsible for protecting vulnerable people.
‘At the end of the UK’s hottest summer on record, featuring four heatwaves, it is clear that tools to protect vulnerable people from weather related harm are now a critical part of our health and care infrastructure,’ said Dr Thomas Roberts, co-author of the study and Co-Director of the Institute for Sustainability at the University of Surrey.
‘Extreme weather is now the norm, and so swift and effective warnings delivering consistent action to protect the population are essential tools for emergency services, care providers and others looking after the health and welfare of the nation,’ he continued.
However, there is some confusion in some instances, and possible refinements have been identified which could help further reduce the impact of extreme weather. This primarily focuses on the ‘yellow’ scale (levels 7-11), which the assessors believe could be clearer in terms of the differentiation between the various stages and what these actually mean in terms of recommended actions. One emergency planner has noted that two yellow alerts were issued this year, just days apart, but on two distinct levels of warning, which some frontline staff found too complex.
A simplified version of the alert system has been proposed, supporting more effective rapid responses on the ground. This should be supported by more comprehensive advice for those who rely on additional details, rather than instant and succinct information about weather-related risks. Fewer unnecessary alerts would also help reduce ‘fatigue’ and promote greater coordination between agencies.
‘Our weather health-alerting system is designed to help our stakeholders across the health, care and voluntary sectors prepare for adverse temperatures that impact on the health and wellbeing of the population, so we are delighted that the findings show it is fulfilling its aim so early after launch,’ said Dr Ross Thompson, a Principal Environmental Public Health Scientist at UKHSA.
‘By combining trusted weather forecasting with health risk insights, the alerts give frontline teams practical, timely information to protect the most vulnerable,’ he continued. ‘We take all feedback onboard as we aim to continuously improve the system, and we continue to work closely with the Met Office around future developments and alignment of our system and the National Severe Weather Warnings Service.’
Image: Ross Sneddon / Unsplash
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