Dear Resident

An amber weather warning for extreme heat has been issued by the Met Office.

The warning is in place from midnight on Sunday night/Monday morning to 11.59pm on Tuesday night.

The warning area covers all of the Scottish Borders with the exception of eastern coastal areas.

Key information:

More details:

After a very warm night, hot weather, already underway across parts of England and Wales is expected to develop more widely, including southern Scotland. Some exceptionally high temperatures are possible, both by day and by night, for Monday and Tuesday. This following a warm weekend, will likely bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure.

See the Met Office website for more information.

Health advice:

We may joke about the weather in Scotland, but heat is a real risk that can affect anyone. With high temperatures predicted to continue it is important that you stay safe and well hydrated.

Conditions related to heatwaves such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion can have serious consequences if not quickly treated. In addition, being exposed to the sun for too long can cause painful sunburn.

High pollen levels are also causing people to suffer with hay fever, a common allergic condition that affects up to one in five people at some point in their life. You'll experience hay fever symptoms if you have an allergic reaction to pollen. 

Dr Tim Patterson, Director of Public Health at NHS Borders said: “Many of us look forward to getting out and enjoying the hot weather but it’s important to remember that as temperatures continue to soar it can also be dangerous. Knowing how to keep cool during these long hot periods can help save lives.

“It’s important to take some time to think about what you can do to protect yourself, your family and friends during the hot weather. For some, including older people, those with underlying health conditions and young children, the summer heat can bring real health risks. That’s why we’d like everyone to look out for those who may be at risk this summer and where possible ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support.

“The most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen. However, it's very difficult to avoid pollen, particularly during the summer months when you want to spend more time outdoors. Treatment options for hay fever include antihistamines, which can help to prevent an allergic reaction from occurring.”

For tips on how to keep safe in hot weather visit the Ready Scotland website.

Use the NHS Inform self-help guide for advice for people aged 5 years or more with the symptoms of hay fever.