86F! Forget Ibiza... it’s hotter here
BRITAIN will be hotter than Ibiza this week and bask in a glorious midsummer heatwave with highs set to top 86F (30C).
That would be three degrees hotter than the forecast for the Spanish party island.
The rising mercury could set a new record for the hottest day of the year since 82.8F was recorded at Santon Downham in Suffolk on May 20.
The highest June temperature to beat is 96.08F in Southampton in 1976.
With older people vulnerable during hotter weather Age UK has issued vital advice.
Charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “For many, the warmer weather and sunshine forecast are thoroughly welcome.
“However, this isn’t good news for everyone, with older people being more susceptible to heat-related illness. That’s why we are encouraging people to take precautions and look out for older people they know.
“Lockdown and shielding bring added complications as it can be harder to spot someone who may be getting into difficulties and needing extra help.”
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The charity suggested staying inside during the hottest time of the day – from late morning to mid-afternoon – drinking lots of fluids and closing curtains to keep homes cool.
Met Office chief meteorologist Dan Suri said Northern Ireland and Scotland will have cloud and rain today.
But he added: “It’ll be dry elsewhere with plenty of warm sunshine and temperatures reaching 28 or 29C (82-84F) in a few spots. Temperatures will continue to climb through the week with a hot spell across much of England andWales.
“This hot weather is expected to last until at least Friday and so heatwave conditions are likely for some areas.”
Explaining the cause of the hot spell, he added: “We quite often see warm, southerly air from the Continent bringing these high temperatures to the UK in summer. However this week the air across the UK has arrived from the Atlantic.
“This Atlantic air will descend and warm up as it moves across the UK and this, in combination with clear skies and strong lateJune sunshine, means we are seeing temperatures rise.”
But wet weather could arrive towards the end of the week with an increased risk of thunderstorms too.