The Met Office has extended its life-threatening warning for a heat wave that will hit much of England and Wales over the weekend.
The extreme heat warning is in effect from Sunday through late Tuesday, and the heat season is expected to peak on Monday or Tuesday.
The Met Office said: “Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced throughout the population, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or life-threatening illness.”
It came when the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, triggered a severe weather emergency response, which was usually triggered when temperatures drop to freezing in winter, to support those sleeping in the capital during the heat wave.
The City Council has written to all London’s districts and sleeping services to ask them to carry out welfare checks on vulnerable people and provide sun protection, water and information to stay cool and safe in high temperatures.
Widespread disruptions are also possible, such as road closures and cancellations and delays in rail and air travel, as temperatures in England and Wales appear to be rising by mid-30ºC or more.
Meteorologists believe there is a 30% chance that mercury will surpass the current UK record of 38.7 ° C (101.7 ° F), set in Cambridge in 2019.
The heat wave is the result of hot air flowing into the UK from continental Europe.
Heat waves have become hotter, longer and more frequent due to climate change, and experts have warned of the need to adapt homes and cities in the UK for a more intense and deadly summer heat future. .
Dr Mark McCarthy, head of the Meteorological Office’s National Climate Information Center, said: “The highest temperatures experienced in the UK usually occur when our weather is influenced by continental European air masses. or North Africa, as it will be over the weekend. “There is already strongly integrated warming due to climate change across the continent, which is increasing the likelihood of challenging the existing temperature record in the UK.”
Ambulance services are already at the highest level of alert, as difficulties with the hot weather are combined with Covid absences among staff and constant delays in delivering patients to A&E.
The London ambulance service urged the public to help as the heat continues to call only 999 in the event of a life-threatening emergency, stay hydrated and stay out of the sun during the hottest periods of the year. day.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK warned people about the dangers of trying to cool off in lakes, quarries, rivers and other waterways.
Hot weather can affect the heart and lungs, with a particular risk for the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions and young children.
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It can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke, and affect the ability to work or concentrate.
People are being encouraged to keep their homes cool – by closing blinds or curtains and keeping rooms well ventilated at night.
In some areas, the heat wave comes after months of below-average rainfall, and water companies are urging households to save water, as demand increases in the face of high temperatures.