How long heatwave is set to last as UK to break bank holiday record
Sunday has been confirmed as the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures of over 30°C recorded in multiple areas of England – and hotter weather is still to come.
A high of 31.1°C was recorded in Heathrow, Greater London, with Kew Gardens and Teddington in London, Charlwood, Surrey, and Farnborough, Hampshire, all marking just over 30°C.
Temperatures are expected to rise even further on Monday and Tuesday, reaching 34°C in Greater London and across South East England.
It looks set to be the hottest bank holiday on record, passing the 33.2°C record during the August bank holiday in 2019 in Heathrow.
Records could also be broken for the hottest May day in the UK – currently 32.8°C, which took place in London in 1922.
Eight areas of England on Sunday also reached their heatwave threshold – at least three consecutive days of a particular temperature – the Met Office said.
Benson in Oxfordshire, Brooms Barn in Suffolk, High Beech in Essex, Northolt in London, Santon Downham in Suffolk and Writtle in Essex all reached the threshold, along with Heathrow and Kew Gardens.
Saturday had previously been confirmed as the hottest day of the year so far, with 30.5°C recorded in Frittenden, Kent.
It was the first time this year that the temperature had reached 30°C, and the first time since 2012 that anywhere in the UK had reached 30°C in May.
“We rarely see temperatures above 35C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35 in May is, as I say, pretty historic,” a Met Office spokesperson told the Press Association.
They added that overnight temperatures could also stay above 20°C, leading to records being broken and being “uncomfortable for sleeping”.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has amber heat health alerts in place for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the East of England, London and the South East.
The warnings are in effect until 5pm on Wednesday and mark the first time the UKHSA has issued heat health warnings before June.
Amber alerts mean there is likely to be “a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions” and increased demand on all health and social care services.
The less severe yellow alert, issued for the North East and North West, Yorkshire and Humber, and the South West, means that significant impacts on health and social care services are possible, especially among the elderly.
Heat is considered more dangerous for older adults, whose bodies struggle to regulate temperature. The charity Age UK recommends staying inside during the hottest hours of the day, between 11am and 3pm, and having regular cold baths or showers.
Caroline Abrahams, Age UK Charity Director, said: “We can all help older people stay safe during periods of hot weather by checking in on older relatives, friends and neighbours to see if they need anything or are struggling with the heat.
“Offering to pick up shopping or medication, or even lending a fan, can make a real difference.”
Reported with agencies
المصدر: iNews