The UK is set to bake in extreme heat this week as the Met Office predicts temperatures will rise to 38C.
The national weather agency has been forced to issue amber weather warnings for dangerously high temperatures until Thursday.
There will be 90 areas covered by the hot weather warning from Wednesday, with residents warned “population-wide adverse health effects are likely”. The soaring temperatures bring the risk of “potential serious illness or danger to life”, the Met Office warned.
New UpdatesView PostView PostView PostToday08:19 BST
The Met Office alerts also warn of an increase in potential water safety incidents, as more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes or rivers.
During the previous record-breaking heatwave , from May 24 to 31, the UK saw a horrifying death toll of 19 children and adults killed in water related incidents during one week. In response the Mirror launched our ‘Save Lives for Sam’ campaign to stop the “catastrophic” deaths of 33 children who drown in England every year – “the equivalent of a classroom of children lost”.
Bereaved families, Olympic legends and safety organisations have joined together to call on the Government to take five key steps to save young lives across the country. People heading to the coast should be mindful that sea-surface temperatures are not as high as they would be in mid-summer.
Samantha Hughes is the National Water Safety Partner at the RNLI. She said: “With warmer weather approaching, it’s important to remember that the water is still cold. Entering it unexpectedly can lead to cold water shock, causing a sudden increase in breathing and heart rate, which may trigger panic.
“If you find yourself struggling in the water, remember to Float to Live: tilt your head back so your ears are submerged, relax and control your breathing. You may need to gently use your hands to help you stay afloat, and it’s ok if your legs sink—everyone floats differently.
“Where possible, always choose a lifeguarded beach, and swim between the red and yellow flags. In a coastal emergency remember to call 999 for the coastguard.”
Joe SmithToday08:15 BST
With both amber alerts including warnings that transport may be affected by the heat, it is important to avoid delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, and changing your travel plans if necessary.
If using public transport remember to:
- Carry some water with you and drink lots of fluids
- If you feel unwell get off at next stop for some fresh air
- Dress light, choose light fabrics in light colours
- Help others – for anyone struggling, ice packs/cold compresses to wrists, neck, elbows can help them cool down quickly
- Take a small hand-held battery fan
Public transport can be disrupted in heatwaves(Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
To stay safe in the heat it is recommended that you:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am-3pm when the sun is strongest
- Close curtains in rooms that face the sun to keep your home cool
- Take water with you when you go out
- Stay in the shade while outdoors
- Wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat
Joe Smith
Today08:06 BST
The Met Office has said it is now likely the current highest temperature on record for June will be broken. A temperature of 35.6C was recorded in Southampton in June 1976 and Camden Square in June 1957. With the mercury forecast to his 38C by the end of the week this looks set to be shattered.
A heatwave worse than the one in May is set to hit the UK(Image: Amer Ghazzal/Shutterstock)
A second weather warning is coming later this week, starting in the early hours of Wednesday and covering the period until midnight on Thursday. Temperatures in this period are forecast to peak at around 38C.
While both are amber alerts, this warning covers a larger area than the Monday/Tuesday one, covering places as far north as Bolton and Selby.
For the full list of all 90 areas covered by this warning, see the first post in our blog.
People living in this wide swathe of the UK have been given even more serious warnings, with the Met Office saying: “Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life.”
Brits have also been warned of possible power cuts and the loss of other essential services, a sharp spike in water safety incidents and people head to the costs and delays and possible closures on transport routes.
“Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required,” the forecaster added.
Joe SmithToday07:55 BST
Met Office weather charts show temperatures are due to soar by this afternoon with the hottest weather in the South West where some parts will see the mercury reaching 33C.
The south of England is facing roasting temperatures this afternoon(Image: Met Office)
Today07:50 BST
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree, said: “The forecast heatwave is developing into an impactful severe weather event, with record breaking June temperatures and very high humidity. The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies.
“As well as very high daytime temperatures, there will be consecutive nights where temperatures do not drop below 20°C, which is called a Tropical Night. This will make it very hard for people to recover from the daytime heat, exacerbating the heat stress impacts.”
Ethan BlackshawToday07:49 BST
There are two amber weather warnings in force for parts of the UK this week. The first one started at midnight and runs until 11:59pm tomorrow.
This is the first of the week’s amber warnings and covers 72 areas. Brits in these areas are warned that:
- More people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to an increased risk of water safety incidents
- Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat
- The wider population are likely to experience some adverse health effects including sunburn or heat exhaustion (dehydration, nausea, fatigue) and other heat related illnesses
- Some delays to road, rail and air travel are possible, with potential for welfare issues for those who experience prolonged delays
- Some changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
- An increased chance that some heat-sensitive systems and equipment may fail, leading to power cuts and the loss of other services to some homes and businesses
Where does the first warning cover?
East Midlands
- Derby
- Derbyshire
- Leicester
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- Nottingham
- Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
East of England
- Bedford
- Cambridgeshire
- Central Bedfordshire
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Luton
- Norfolk
- Peterborough
- Southend-on-Sea
- Suffolk
- Thurrock
London & South East England
- Bracknell Forest
- Brighton and Hove
- Buckinghamshire
- East Sussex
- Greater London
- Hampshire
- Isle of Wight
- Kent
- Medway
- Milton Keynes
- Oxfordshire
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Slough
- Southampton
- Surrey
- West Berkshire
- West Sussex
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Wokingham
South West England
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole
- Bristol
- Devon
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- North Somerset
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands Conurbation
- Worcestershire
Joe SmithToday07:41 BST
The following regions and local authorities are affected by the amber weather warning from Wednesday onwards.
East Midlands
- Derby
- Derbyshire
- Leicester
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- Nottingham
- Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
East of England
- Bedford
- Cambridgeshire
- Central Bedfordshire
- Essex
- Hertfordshire
- Luton
- Norfolk
- Peterborough
- Southend-on-Sea
- Suffolk
- Thurrock
London & South East England
- Bracknell Forest
- Brighton and Hove
- Buckinghamshire
- East Sussex
- Greater London
- Hampshire
- Kent
- Medway
- Milton Keynes
- Oxfordshire
- Reading
- Slough
- Southampton
- Surrey
- West Berkshire
- West Sussex
- Windsor and Maidenhead
- Wokingham
North West England
- Cheshire East
- Cheshire West and Chester
- Greater Manchester
- Halton
- Lancashire
- Merseyside
- Warrington
South West England
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bristol
- Devon
- Dorset
- Gloucestershire
- North Somerset
- Plymouth
- Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Swindon
- Torbay
- Wiltshire
Wales
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Ceredigion
- Conwy
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Gwynedd
- Isle of Anglesey
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
West Midlands
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands Conurbation
- Worcestershire
Yorkshire & Humber
- East Riding of Yorkshire
- North Lincolnshire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire