Four day extreme heat warning issued as UK temperatures to soar to 38C
An extremely hot weather warning has been issued by the Met Office, with temperatures expected to rise to a record-breaking 38C next week.
Amber warnings cover parts of England and Wales for four days next week; The first covers central and southern England, including parts of the Midlands and Wales, on Monday and Tuesday.
A second yellow warning has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday, covering similar areas as well as parts of north-west England, including Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and Cheshire, and North Wales.
The news sparked weather warnings, health warnings and concerns for vulnerable people.
This comes as Europe is seeing sweltering temperatures across the continent, with temperatures of up to 44°C predicted.
Forecasters this week said there was “increasing confidence” that the record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6 degrees, previously set in Southampton in 1976, could be broken in England.
The yellow extreme heat warning issued by the Met Office on Sunday has been extended from Monday to Thursday.
The warning warns of the potential health impacts of heat-related problems for people vulnerable to extreme heat and the wider population.
The Met Office warned that adverse health effects were “likely” in the wider population, including sunburn or heat exhaustion (dehydration, nausea, fatigue) and other heat-related illnesses, adding: “changes to working practices.” [are] necessary”.
“Very intense humidity” is expected. The Met Office has also warned of a possible increase in water safety incidents as more people visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers.
It was also stated that the possibility of failure of some heat-sensitive systems and equipment has increased, which may cause power outages and loss of other services in some homes and workplaces.
Delays to road, rail and air travel are also possible and there may be welfare issues for those experiencing long delays.
The Met Office said people in the warning area were advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and avoid exercise between 11am and 3pm.
Separate amber heat health warnings have been issued by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA), currently covering most of England from Monday morning until Friday night. There is also a UKHSA yellow heat alert in the north-east of England during the same period.
