Keep your cool, 30C sizzler on the way
Temperature could soar to record 33C as millions of families rush to hit beach
MILLIONS are set to swarm to beaches this weekend as weathermen issued a severe warning for what could be the hottest August Bank Holiday on record.
Temperatures hit 28C (82F) yesterday and are expected to rise as high as 33C by Monday.
Families looking to take advantage of the long weekend took to the roads as the great getaway to the nation’s beaches began.
With 16.5 million road journeys set to be made over the coming days, motoring organisations warned breakdowns could be a major problem in the heat.
RAC patrol of the year Ben Aldous said: “A lot of the breakdowns we expect to see are preventable, so it’s vital drivers check over their car before setting out.”
Analysis from transport specialists INRIX found that some of the worst major roads will include the M25 anticlockwise (between J1 and J4), the M6 north (J18 to J24), and the M6 south (J27 to J13). Delays of up to an hour are expected on these stretches.
Meanwhile, weathermen said temperatures could surpass the August Bank Holiday record of 31.5C in 2001.
A Met Office Level 3 heatwave warning is in place for the East of England, where temperatures are set to remain between 30-33C until Monday.
People are advised to stay indoors from 11am to 3pm – Level 3 is just one notch below a national emergency.
The Met Office said: “High pressure will bring very warm or hot conditions to many parts of the country during Saturday and Sunday. Into Monday, fresher air is expected to gradually move eastwards across the country, although it will remain very warm for some eastern parts.”
Bookies last night set odds of 2-1 to be the hottest August Bank Holiday ever.