The scorching weather has disrupted travel to the UK, as an extreme heat wave ravages southern Europe.
The UK’s first “red” alert went into effect on Monday for large parts of England and will last until Tuesday, when temperatures may reach a record 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for the first time.
On Monday, high temperatures in the UK hit the top 30 degrees, but on Tuesday it will be even hotter with places like London reaching the 40-degree mark, said Anthony Farnell, chief meteorologist at Global News.
“This will probably be the warmest temperature ever recorded in the UK,” he said.
Read more: Heat wave in Europe: the UK is on track for the hottest day, forest fires ravaging France and Spain
Meanwhile, forest fires are ravaging France and Spain, where a week-long heat wave has caused hundreds of deaths. Belgium and Germany were among the countries that hoped the heat wave would affect them in the coming days.
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Summer is the peak season to travel to Europe, but given the current extreme weather that is expected to continue, experts are asking travelers to adjust their plans to minimize risks.
“Heat stress is a silent killer,” said Glen Kenny, a professor and research chair in human environmental physiology at the University of Ottawa.
“What’s important to understand is that there’s always this risk and it can light up like a light bulb.”
Temperatures of Europe, July 18. Global news chart
While older adults and those with chronic health conditions are the most vulnerable, heat-related stress can also affect young people and children, he said.
Being a tourist in the middle of a heat wave is like a “two-edged sword,” Kenny said. In addition to getting heat from the environment, he said that any kind of physical activity while on the move will also add heat to the body.
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In that case, people should plan their trip in a way that would reduce the burden they would suffer from outdoor exposure and physical exertion, he said.
This means staying indoors more often in museums or restaurants and also taking transportation that offers a cool atmosphere.
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Martin Firestone, a travel insurance broker in Toronto, said Europe is a destination for more than 50 percent of its customers, and the summer heat wave has not forced any cancellations so far. .
“Definitely a lot of travel sales right now are for these European destinations,” he said, including France, Germany, the UK and Spain.
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Given the extreme heat warnings, your advice for travelers is to get full protection when buying health insurance and opt for a cancellation and interruption policy in case they need to be turned off or shortened. your journey.
“I think it will be a very interesting scenario for those traveling, especially in those regions that are affected at the moment,” he said.
Configuration causing heat wave in Europe. Global news chart
In Britain, train operators asked customers not to travel unless absolutely necessary, saying the heat could warp the rails and disrupt power supplies, causing severe delays.
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Some routes operated at reduced speed or closed completely from mid-afternoon, when temperatures were expected to peak.
Read more: Turbulent weather: how climate change could slow down future summer air travel
London Luton Airport suspended flights on Monday after a surface defect was found on its runway due to high temperatures. The airport said in a tweet that service will resume as soon as possible.
pic.twitter.com/kn2ClMlZHK
– London Luton Airport (@LDNLutonAirport) July 18, 2022
The good news for the UK and surrounding countries is that this heat wave is expected to shift eastward and dissipate by the end of this week, limiting long-term exposure to heat, Farnell said.
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“There are similarities when you compare this European heat event to the heat dome that was installed all over BC last summer,” he said.
What are the health risks?
If travelers were already exposed to the heat before traveling, this will help them adapt and acclimatize to the heat conditions, Kenny said.
“If they go there and haven’t been exposed to the heat here a bit, they won’t have the same capacity,” he explained.
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Signs of heat stress can include headaches, thirst, fatigue, dizziness, malaise, irritability, disorientation and discouragement, Kenny said.
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When traveling with family, it’s important to pick up on these “critical clues” or any changes in behavior and seek help immediately.
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“When someone starts to show confusion or voices that they are no longer sweating, these are clear signs (that) you should take action,” he said.
When packing, keep a hat, umbrella, sunscreen, and wear clothing that allows for good ventilation and covers a limited amount of the body, Kenny said.
– with files from Reuters and The Associated Press