The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a new Heat-Health Alerting (HHA) service in patnership with the Met Office.
The new system will focus on the health impacts of high temperatures.
The announcement follows publication of the Adverse Weather and Health Plan.
A new platform for the alerts has gone live and contains the current alert status for all regions of England.
If a HHA is issued it will cover: headline weather conditions expected in the coming days, an outline of what impacts might be expected, a brief overview of the regional impact assessment and links to additional information, advice and guidance.
During the core alerting season from 1 June to 30 September, the UKHSA and the Met Office will monitor the weather forecasts. If episodes of hot weather are identified, a joint dynamic risk assessment will be carried out and the appropriate alert issued.
There will be four coloured alerts. Green (preparedness) means that the conditions are likely to have minimal impact on health and no alert will be issued and yellow (response) may be may be issued during periods of heat/cold which would be unlikely to impact most people but could impact those who are particularly vulnerable.
An amber (enhanced response) alert indicates that weather impacts are likely to be felt across the whole health service, and at this level, some health impacts may be seen across the wider population, not just the most vulnerable. Non-health sectors may also start to observe impacts and a more significant coordinated response may be required.
A red (emergency response) alert indicates significant risk to life for even the healthy population, severe impacts would be expected across all sectors with a coordinated response essential.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: "Our heat-health alerting system plays a vital role in notifying professionals and the public of forecasted high temperatures that can affect the health of those most at risk, particularly individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.
"Last year saw record high temperatures across England and evidence shows that heatwaves are likely to occur more often, be more intense and last longer in the years and decades ahead. It is important we are able to quantify the likely impacts of these heatwaves before they arrive to prevent illness and reduce the number of deaths.
"We look forward to collaborating with the Met Office to provide evidence-based advice to professionals and the public, to ensure they are well-equipped to respond to these events."
