Health alert as heat surges towards 100F
A HEALTH alert was issued last night as Britain faces recordbreaking heat of almost 100F this week.
Daytime temperatures are likely to hit 36C (97F) by Thursday – and could beat the record for July of 36.7C (98F) set in 2015.
And the Met Office said overnight temperatures tonight could also break records in some central and southern areas, possibly reaching 24C (75.2F).
Public Health England is urging people to cover their windows to keep rooms cool, and not to go out between 11am and 3pm if vulnerable to the heat.
Other advice includes drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding excess alcohol and wearing loose, cool clothing. Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, urged people to ‘check in on neighbours and loved ones who can suffer the most from heat and pollen’.
High levels of pollen and ultraviolet light – increasing the risk of sunburn – are expected, particularly in the South and East between today and Thursday.
Pollution levels in southern areas are also expected to rise, causing problems for asthma sufferers. Dr Andy Whittamore of Asthma UK said: ‘A toxic cocktail of hot humid weather and rising pollen levels this week could be extremely hazardous, triggering deadly asthma attacks.
‘Make sure you take your hay fever medicines, keep taking your regular preventer as prescribed by your doctor and carry your blue reliever inhaler at all times.’ Breakdown companies urged motorists to check their cars to avoid unnecessary callouts. Warm weather became widespread yesterday and is due to reach most areas of England and Wales through today when temperatures could reach 34C ( 93F) in southern England and 30C (86F) further north.
Continued temperatures of up to 34C (93F) are forecast tomorrow, followed by heavy overnight thunderstorms in many areas before the heatwave reaches its peak and starts to break on Thursday night into Friday.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said there was a ‘ possibility of records being broken for not only July but also all-time records’. The highest ever UK temperature is 38.5C (101.3F) recorded in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.