Phew! today’s hottest June day in history
...but experts warn of risk of toxic smog
TODAY is a hot tip to be the warmest June day ever recorded.
Experts think we could top the 35.6C mark that has stood for 41 years.
Parts of southern Britain will notch 30C-plus for the fifth successive day – but it will be cooler further north, with the threat of thundery showers.
It is the first prolonged run of such high temperatures since 1995 and the Met Office has issued an amber alert for England.
Spokesman Grahame Madge said: “It is likely we’ll have five days in a row with a station somewhere recording 30C or more, from Saturday until tomorrow. Last time we had five days in a row in June above 30C was June 26 to 30, 1995.”
Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze added: “Forecast models show 35C on Wednesday in the South – meaning Wednesday has the potential to be the hottest June day on record.” But there were warnings the heat and rising pollution could create a toxic smog. Monday was the hottest day of the year so far, with a peak of 32.5C But it emerged two people drowned while trying to cool off. Paul Lawson, 16, died while swimming at Greenbooth Reservoir in Rochdale, Gtr Manchester. And a woman in her 80s died after being pulled from the sea at East Wittering, West Sussex. The NHS has urged the elderly, children and those with medical conditions to keep cool and hydrated. Asthmatics were urged to take extra care. A DEFRA spokesman added: “Areas of moderate pollution are likely on Wednesday.” Meanwhile, surfaces melted yesterday as road temperatures hit 40C and trains were axed as rails buckled. Cool weather will start moving down from the north tonight, bringing thunderstorms – but temperatures should stay high until September.
HISTORY will remember the Conservative council Kensington and Chelsea as the most callous, indifferent and shameful local authority in centuries.
Serious questions remain unanswered over why tenants of Grenfell Tower were not protected from infernos.
But public opinion has found the wealthy burghers in the wealthiest borough in the wealthiest city of one of the wealthiest nations guilty of treating survivors with contempt.
Kensington and Chelsea’s cruel failure to immediately rehouse victims and provide even basic support should see every Tory councillor responsible handing in their resignation. Until then, we will continue to hold them accountable by reminding them of the criminal neglect.