Cancel your holiday... UK is set for record-breaking 37C
The UK could see its hottest July day ever recorded this week as another heatwave is predicted to bring highs of up to 37C. Forecasts suggest the country is almost certain to experience the hottest day of the year so far, after temperatures soared to 34C in June.
And the Met Office said the all-time July record (36.7C in 2015) could be beaten on Thursday and that the UK’s all-time record temperature (38.5C in August 2003) may be “under threat”. The soaring temperatures come amid the start of the school summer holidays and will pose a health risk to vulnerable groups, such as older people and young children.
Public Health England has already issued an amber heat-health warning – one level below a “national emergency” red warning. A spokesperson said: “Our advice to the public is to think now about anyone you know who may feel the ill-effects of hot weather – older people, those with heart and lung conditions and young children – and consider what help they may need.”
Official statistics showed there were nearly 700 more recorded deaths than average during the 15-day peak heatwave in June and July last year. Nicola Maxey, a Met Office spokesperson, said the heatwave will be caused by weather coming over from continental Europe, which has seen highs of 40C recently, and added there was a “small risk that [the UK’s all-time record] may also be under threat”.
She said that the high humidity and warm nights will play a part in increasing the health risk, as there will be little break from the heat for people who suffer from long-term illnesses, such as breathing and heart conditions. London and southeast England are expected to see the most extreme heat.
“There’s some uncertainty though on just how long the heatwave conditions will last for,” the forecaster said. “It looks most likely that, at least by Saturday, most areas will see a bit of a drop in temperatures. There’s still a lot of sunshine around for the weekend and temperatures probably look to be not quite as hot, but with a summery feel staying for the weekend.”
For the majority of the UK, temperatures need to rise to 25C for three consecutive days to be classed as a heatwave. Public Health England has advised people to stay out of the sun, stay hydrated and keep their homes cool by shading windows in the event of extreme heat.