Bolton remains under a yellow heat health alert until Wednesday at 5pm as Greater Manchester continues to experience a sustained heatwave, with forecasters warning that temperatures could reach 31C on Tuesday afternoon. Warm, sunny conditions over the bank holiday weekend have kept daytime highs in the high 20s, and although Wednesday is expected to stay warm at about 22C, temperatures may rise again to around 26C on Thursday before more unsettled weather arrives over the weekend. Showers are possible from Saturday, with temperatures likely to fall closer to seasonal averages.
As UV levels stay high, retired GP Dr Jane Wilcock, from Harwood, has urged residents to take precautions against sunburn, dehydration and heat-related illness. She advised people to avoid the midday sun where possible, especially between 11am and 3pm, to drink plenty of fluids, and to check on vulnerable neighbours, including older people, those with health conditions, babies and children. Dr Wilcock said people who cannot clearly express discomfort, particularly children and vulnerable adults, need extra care because they may not be able to say when they are getting too hot or when their skin is burning.
Drawing on her years of medical experience, she warned that severe sunburn and dehydration can have serious consequences and said skin cancer remains a major concern, with cases of malignant melanoma, basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer continuing to rise. She highlighted areas often missed when applying sun protection, including the ears, the backs of hands and the scalp, saying bald heads are especially vulnerable if not covered. She also reminded people that hats, loose clothing and high-factor sun cream are important when spending time outdoors.
Dr Wilcock stressed that sun cream should be reapplied every few hours and after swimming or playing in water, noting that it does not last all day. She also cautioned that cooler conditions in hilly areas can be misleading, because UV exposure can still be strong even when the air feels less hot. The Met Office expects UV levels to remain high during the warmest part of the week, while pollen and air pollution levels are forecast to stay moderate.
Dr Wilcock praised the support shown by families, neighbours and communities during previous heatwaves, saying that looking out for people who may struggle to protect themselves is especially important during periods of extreme heat.
