TOXIC SMOG TO SWEEP BRITAIN
New alert after 3 die on hottest day of the year
SMOG is set to sweep in from the Continent today, creating a harmful toxic haze.
Vulnerable people have been warned that the fumes expected to engulf parts of the country could prove deadly.
Asthmatics and those with breathing difficulties should take special precautions as the smog comes in the wake of the highest temperatures of the year.
Yesterday saw the mercury hit 92.8F (33.8C) in Cavendish, Suffolk, beating the 92.3F recorded at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, last month.
The hot spell brought tragedy to Camber Sands, East Sussex, yesterday as three men died after being pulled from the sea.
The Environment Department is warning of worrying pollution for today and more to
come. It said moderate air pollution in some parts of southern and western England today would be followed by another surge on Saturday which will bring more toxic air across much of the South and East.
Experts have warned people with health conditions to stay indoors when smog levels peak.
Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of The British Lung Foundation, said: “If you have a lung condition we advise reducing or avoiding strenuous, outdoor exercise.
“Stay away from pollution hotspots and if you’re getting wheezy or coughing from walking outside get in touch with your doctor.
“Air pollution worsens existing lung conditions, increases the risk of getting lung cancer and impairs child lung development.”
An Environment Department spokesman said: “Pockets of high air pollution are possible on Saturday across East Anglia.
“Areas of moderate air pollution are expected to develop across central and southern England, especially on Saturday, due to light winds and air arriving from the Continent.”
The Met Office has a Level-3 heat health alert in place across eastern and south-eastern regions into this morning. It warned of a 90 per cent probability of heatwave conditions triggered when temperatures hit 86F during the day without falling below 59F by night.
The warning comes as warm air from the Continent takes hold.
Thermometers could nudge the 89.6F mark in the South today with the North cooler at around 71.6F.
High humidity could make it feel close to 95F in the South-east. By Saturday temperatures could hit 87.8F forecast for the South and highs of around 68F elsewhere.
Forecasters warn the prolonged heat will trigger torrential downpours and thunderstorms.
Thundery
However, the outlook for the Bank Holiday is for temperatures to drop nearer to average.
The high temperature yesterday spurred bookmakers to slash odds on it being the hottest summer on record with Coral now offering odds of 2-1.
Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: “Thursday will be quite a nice day for many but there will be some rain which may turn heavy in parts of Wales, northern England and later in the South-east.
“We are looking at temperatures of 86F to 89.6F in the South with the North reaching around 71F.
“On Saturday low pressure could bring some thundery outbreaks.”