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Miranda Schunke of ITV News reports on how the heat wave could affect health and services across the country
Ministers have held an emergency Cobra meeting after meteorologists warned of record high temperatures in some parts of England that could endanger lives, a move prompted by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA). ) to increase their heat health warning from level three to level four, a national emergency. .
It will be the second Cobra meeting led by Cabinet Office Minister Kit Malthouse, Malthouse on the issue. It is understood that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not attend.
Meteorologists have given an 80% chance that mercury will surpass the record UK temperature of 38.7 ºC set in Cambridge in 2019, while there is a 50% chance that the 40 ºC barrier will break somewhere. from the red warning zone, something that had never happened before.
Higher temperatures are forecast for Monday, and Tuesday still appears to be exceptionally hot, before the weather returns to more normal levels on Wednesday.
The Met Office has warned that high temperatures will endanger people’s lives.
Health officials fear that people living alone on the upper floors of buildings (which are likely to overheat) are among those who could die, with people over 75 and people with serious physical or mental illnesses also vulnerable.
The public has been warned to watch out for sunburn and heat exhaustion, and changes in work practices and daily routines are recommended.
A fiery sky over St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the north east coast of England just before sunrise Credit: Owen Humphreys / PA
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge called the situation “very serious”.
“If people have vulnerable relatives or neighbors, now is the time to make sure they are putting in place the right measures to deal with the heat because if the forecast is as we believe it will be in the red alert zone, then people’s lives are in danger, ”he added.
Trying to stay cool, drink plenty of water, and avoid the sun when it’s hotter — especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. — are some of the ways to protect yourself most at risk.
On Friday, a national emergency was declared after a red warning of extreme heat was first issued, meaning there is a risk to life and daily routines will have to change.
The Met Office’s highest notice covers an area that includes London, Manchester and York on Monday and Tuesday.
In addition to this warning, England’s heat and health alert has been updated to level 4, a national emergency warning that even fit and healthy people could get sick or die, not just groups. high risk and vulnerable.
It means the climate requires “a multisectoral response at the national and regional levels.”
People relax in the sun in Victoria, central London. Credit: PA
There is a level three heat health alert for the rest of England, Wales and the south of Scotland, where temperatures are expected to reach at least 30 degrees Celsius, indicating that vulnerable people are at risk.
Experts have said that climate change makes heat waves more likely, as well as more intense and lasting.
Met Office executive director Penny Endersby said it can be hard for people to know what to expect when “climate change has caused such unprecedented severe weather events.”
“Here in the UK we are used to treating a hot period as an opportunity to go play in the sun,” he added.
“This is not that kind of time.”
How is the weather forecast for the next few days?
Meteorologists have said there is an 80% chance that mercury will exceed the record UK temperature of 38.7ºC set in Cambridge in 2019.
Temperatures will rise over the weekend, and the Met Office has issued an amber warning for heat covering much of England and Wales from Sunday to Tuesday.
On Sunday, Wednesday will rise to 30ºC in the capital, 27ºC in Cardiff, 24ºC in Belfast and 23ºC in Edinburgh.
Temperatures are expected to rise several degrees further across the country on Monday and Tuesday, until the mid-1930s in much of England and Wales.
There is a 50% chance that temperatures will reach 40ºC somewhere in the UK, probably along the A1 corridor, which runs from London to Scotland through counties such as Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and the North East.
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What impact will record temperatures have?
Rail speed restrictions may be necessary to prevent any potential damage, as extreme temperatures can cause tracks to collapse.
NHS leaders have been warned that there would be increased demand for ambulances and that patients could be at risk if left out of hospitals in emergency vehicles at scorching temperatures.
The heat wave, which is spreading across Europe and has fueled forest fires in Portugal, France and Spain, has intensified problems with medical staff affected by Covid and constant delays in access to A&E departments.
Some schools in the south are also considering closing on Monday and Tuesday, and the National Education Union issued a statement saying it would support principals in making that decision.
On the roads, gritters plan to spread sand to reduce melting, and the RAC has warned that more drivers will likely need help as cars warm up to scorching temperatures.
Jake Kelly of Network Rail warned that journeys would take “significantly longer and there are likely to be delays as speed restrictions are introduced to keep passengers and rail staff safe”.
Train operators have warned passengers to avoid traveling on Monday and Tuesday unless their journey is “absolutely necessary.”