The British are preparing for a scorching heat, as an amber heat warning comes into force today, before the first red extreme heat warning applies tomorrow.
“Furnace Britain” will be warmer on Monday than Delhi and the Sahara desert, and experts predict that mercury could reach 41ºC, double the UK summer average.
Yesterday, ministers held a Cobra meeting to discuss the health effects of the heat wave following the declaration of a national emergency, but warned schools not to close.
It is the first red warning of extreme heat in the UK, as temperatures rise to 40ºC for the first time. Meteorologists have given an 80 per cent chance that mercury will surpass the UK record of 38.7ºC, set in Cambridge in 2019.
The meteorologists themselves have between 50 and 50 chances of crossing the 40ºC barrier in Britain on Monday or Tuesday.
It is feared that thousands of people could die and the health service has increased the capacity of ambulance and more call managers to 111.
A body was pulled from the water at Salford Quays last night as the British swam again to try to cool off during the heat.
Met Office executive director Penny Endersby said: “Here in the UK we are used to treating a hot period as an opportunity to go play in the sun. This is not that kind of weather.
In the photo: Bournemouth beach was full yesterday as the weather improves day and temperatures rise this weekend
Eight-year-old miniature schnauzer Ringo (left) cools off at his children’s pool in Emsworth, Hampshire while eight-month-old brother George poses if he dips his legs in the water.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay urged citizens to look after vulnerable relatives and neighbors and urged people to take “reasonable steps in terms of water, shade and cover”.
After chairing the Cobra meeting, Cabinet Office Minister Kit Malthouse warned there would be a major disruption to transport earlier in the week and urged people not to travel unnecessarily.
He said: “The heat will affect the rails, for example, so trains have to run more slowly. There may be fewer services. People need to be on guard against interruptions.
“If they don’t have to travel, this may be a time to work from home.”
Last week’s research showed that people were trying to make the most of air conditioning at work with offices with 42% capacity, the highest level since March 2020.
Some schools have started the summer holidays prematurely as a result of the heat, but contrary to the unions’ suggestion that they will teach some schools to close, government sources told The Mail on Sunday that the “consensus” on Cobra’s meeting yesterday was that young people would be at risk if left unattended at home.
Meteorologists have warned that temperatures are 50 per cent likely to reach temperatures of 40 ºC or more on Tuesday, most likely along the A1 corridor, which runs from London to Scotland through counties such as Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
This would make the UK hotter than expected in Tamanrasset, in the Sahara, and 37C in New Delhi, India. Tomorrow at 01.00 in London, a temperature of 30 ºC, 15 ºC above average will have to be made. The current nighttime temperature record was 23.9 ºC, set in August 1990 in Brighton.
Firefighters have warned the public to be careful when throwing disposable barbecues or charcoal and cigarettes, and not to burn garden waste.
Western Europe continues to experience record temperatures with forest fires in western France and Spain.
The heat wave in France is expected to peak on Monday, with temperatures rising above 40 ºC (104 ºF).
In Spain, health ministers say unusually high temperatures of 45 ºC have caused 360 heat-related deaths.
What are the potential impacts of extreme heat?
RAILWAY TRAVEL
The Met Office says delays and cancellations of train journeys are possible with “potential for significant welfare issues for those experiencing even moderate delays.”
And Network Rail has warned people to travel only if absolutely necessary in the midst of high temperatures, with speed restrictions and possible interruptions.
Jake Kelly, director of the Network Rail system operator group, said: “Rail passengers in England and Wales should only travel if needed on Monday and Tuesday, as there will be delays and cancellations on services. trains due to the unprecedented heat we expect.
“The well-being of our passengers is our first priority, so we ask all passengers who decide to travel to take the time to prepare before leaving home.”
Network Rail has warned that services across the UK could be subject to speed restrictions to prevent tracks from collapsing, with Avanti West Coast, South Western Railway and Heathrow Express among operators warning of a possible disruption. West Midlands Trains and London Northwestern Railway have already imposed limits on sections of their network this week.
ROADS
The Met Office says road delays and road closures are possible during the heat alert period.
The RAC has urged motorists to “think carefully before driving and do everything possible to avoid a breakdown”. He says motorists should check coolant and oil levels under the hood when the engine is cold.
He added: “If temperatures reached 40 ºC as some predict, people would have to question their decision to drive first.”
The Hampshire County Council is preparing to deploy staples in response to melting roads, saying the machines will disperse light sand dust that “acts like a sponge to absorb excess bitumen.”
It is recommended for drivers who find tar stuck to the tires that they wash it with warm soapy water.
AIRPORTS
The Met Office has warned that air travel could also be interrupted during the heat. This is due to the fact that the planes can become too heavy to take off in very hot weather due to the reduction in air density which causes a lack of lift.
This happened during a heat wave in the summer of 2018 at London City Airport when some passengers had to be withdrawn so that services were light enough to take off on the relatively short runway.
UTILITIES
The Met Office has warned that a failure of “heat-sensitive systems and equipment” is possible. This could lead to a loss of energy and other essential services such as water, electricity and gas.
Hot weather can cause great demand on the power grid because people are turning on fans and air conditioning, and heat can also cause a drop in the efficiency of electrical cables and transformers.
WORK PLACES
The Met Office says “changes in work practices and daily routines will be required” with the extreme heat.
There is no specific law for a maximum working temperature, or when it is too hot to work.
But employers are expected to ensure that in offices or similar environments, the temperature in workplaces should be “reasonable”. Companies must follow safety and health laws that include keeping the temperature at a comfortable level, known as “thermal comfort”; and provide clean, fresh air.
The Trade Union Congress says during heat waves staff should be allowed to start work earlier, or stay later, leave jackets and ties in the closet and take regular breaks. It also calls for an absolute maximum indoor temperature of 30 ° C (86 ° F) -or 27 ° C (81 ° F) for strenuous work- to legally indicate when work should be stopped.
HEALTH
The Met Office has said that “everyone can experience adverse health effects, not just those most vulnerable to extreme heat, which can lead to serious illness or life-threatening illness” during the warning period.
In addition, the charity Asthma and Lung UK has warned that up to three million asthma sufferers could be affected by high levels of pollen, so they should use their inhalers.
SCHOOLS
Plans to deal with the heat, created by the NHS and UKHSA, say children should not engage in “vigorous physical activity” when temperatures rise above 30ºC (86F).
Some sports days have been canceled this week, while official councils suggest changing the school’s start, end and rest times to avoid the hottest spots of the day.
Put ice under the desk fan, turn off the oven … and keep the pillowcases cool in the freezer! Just three of our tips to increase your budget to overcome the heat wave
By Sarah Davidson for Mail on Sunday
The temperature is rising, but that doesn’t mean your bills have to. You do not need expensive appliances and air conditioning units that consume energy to overcome the heat wave. Here are our nine ways to stay calm and save money.
1: Turns the desktop fan into an air conditioning unit
Air conditioning may be the best way to cool a room, but units are expensive to buy and operate. You can pick up a decent desk fan for less than £ 20, but the cheapest air conditioners start at around £ 250. And a desk fan uses about one percent of the electrical uses of air conditioning. However, there are things you can do to make your fan work a little more like an air conditioner.
As the temperature drops toward the end of the day and the air becomes cooler outside than inside, point the fan toward an open window. This is a more efficient way to cool your room.
Download the Refill app to your mobile phone before you exit. It will show you the nearest public water sources and places where you can refill your water bottle for free across the UK
You can also try placing an ice bowl in front of your fan. Julian House, on the myvouchercodes discount website, explains, “Air passes over the bowl, circulating cooler air.” He adds that using a metal bowl could help keep the ice frozen for longer.
2: Hang the towels outside the window
Keeping the curtains closed during the day prevents some of the heat from entering the home. But even with windows covered this way, about 90 percent of the heat still passes.
It can be even more effective to block the sun from the outside, which removes it completely from the windows.
Blinds are more effective, but for a cheap and easy makeshift alternative, you can hang light-colored towels or sheets outside the south-facing windows.