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Mercury forecast to peak at 30C tomorrow in second heatwave
SCOTLAND is set to be engulfed by the second heatwave of the summer. Forecasters have updated their predictions for blistering temperatures in England to creep north of the Border. The UK Health and Security Agency has put the nation on a level three heat-health alert – the second highest – and an area of high pressure from the Atlantic is expected to bring rising temperatures to Scotland. The mercury is expected to climb to 28C (82F) and could reach the official heatwave criteria – hitting or exceeding 25C (77F) for three days or more. The heat tomorrow will be concentrated in the South-East, and Kelso in Roxburghshire could enjoy scorching temperatures of close to 30C (86F) – which would be hotter than Palermo in Sicily. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service issued a ‘very high’ fire alert for the East and South, ending on Monday. Homeowners have even been urged to create a ‘safety zone’ around their properties, by removing felled trees, wood piles and other debris.
A spokesman for Public Health Scotland said: ‘As well as looking after ourselves, considerations should also be made for others who are at particularly high risk who are less able to look after themselves, such as young children, older people and those with underlying health conditions.’
Michael Avril, of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, warned people heading to the coast: ‘The risk of cold water shock significantly increases as air temperatures rise.’
Rail passengers are being advised to plan ahead, with conditions expected to affect travel. A spokesman for Network Rail said: ‘Our engineers will be out monitoring rail temperatures.’