Britain will face a record heat wave from today that could threaten the health of the elderly and frail as temperatures rise across the country, medics have warned.
The UK’s longest heat wave in four years begins today as a ‘Spanish wave’ of heat brings temperatures of 28°C before the mercury rises further over the weekend.
If the heat wave continues for more than a week, it will be the longest since a blistering 15-day period in 2018 and the With Office fears that temperatures could rise by the end of next week in the mid-thirties.
The UK Health Security Agency yesterday issued a ‘level two’ health warning for the east of England, the south east and Londonwarn people to find shape and be aware of the heat.
Today, the mercury is expected to reach 28C (82.4F) in London before rising to 31C (87.8F) on Monday and Tuesday.
Heat was a factor in the deaths of more than 2,500 people in 2020 and there are an average of about 2,000 heat-related deaths per year.
Concerned health officials have urged people to check their refrigerators and fans and monitor vulnerable members of their families during the heat wave.
People with circulatory, lung or heart problems are especially at risk from a heat wave.
Heatstroke is caused by overheating of a person’s body and can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening.
The NHS recommends staying indoors and drinking plenty of water as a way to combat potential heat exhaustion.
Today’s heat wave – which will make Britain hotter than Antigua – is the result of high pressure from the Azores, which is formed by dry air coming down into the subtropics.
Beachgoers enjoy a stroll in the sun on Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside this afternoon as warm weather looks set to continue into the weekend
Steven Keates of the Met Office told MailOnline: ‘We can expect nice, dry weather in the UK from the start [today] where it will be hazier than [yesterday] in the morning before it breaks out in the sun.
“The exception will be in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland where it will be more cloudy, maybe with a little drizzle.
“High pressure will slowly come out of the south west of England over the weekend, with much more sunshine and temperatures approaching 86F (30C) by Sunday.”
Deputy Chief Meteorologist David Oliver added: ‘We are at the beginning of a stretch of warm weather for much of England and Wales, which could last much of next week.
In the short term, many can expect temperatures in the mid-to-high 20 degrees Celsius over the weekend, and around the low 30 degrees Celsius early next week. Much of next week will remain warm and dry and sunny for the time of year.’
Crowds began to gather on Portobello beach, Edinburgh, yesterday as temperatures continued to rise
Beachgoers enjoy a stroll in the sun on Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside this afternoon as warm weather looks set to continue into the weekend
Surfers prepare to enter the North Sea this afternoon at Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside
People in the woods walking their dogs yesterday on a hot afternoon in Clayfield Copse, Berkshire
Beachgoers enjoy a stroll in the sun on Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside this afternoon as warm weather looks set to continue into the weekend
Blue skies and fluffy white clouds over farm fields in Dunsden, Oxfordshire this afternoon
Beachgoers enjoy a stroll in the sun on Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside this afternoon as warm weather looks set to continue into the weekend
Surfers emerge from the North Sea waters this afternoon at Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside
Beachgoers enjoy a stroll in the sun on Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside this afternoon as warm weather looks set to continue into the weekend
As temperatures rise and the temptation to cool off in the water beckons, Brits are being reminded to take extra care to stay safe.
Sam Hughes, National Water Safety Partner at the RNLI said: ‘It’s great to hear the sun is coming, but we want to remind everyone to stay safe on the coast. If you plan to go to the beach, we recommend that you visit a supervised beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.’
“If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live: Sit back, use your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing and then call for help or swim to safety. In the event of a coastal emergency, call Coast Guard 999 or 112.”
Matthew Killick, Director of Crisis Response and Community Resilience, British Red Cross, added: ‘We are all looking forward to enjoying some warm weather this summer, but it is important to remember that heat can be very dangerous, especially for children, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
“Climate change means we are experiencing longer and more intense heat waves, but a worrying number of people are unaware of the risks of warm weather. There were more than 2,500 additional deaths in England in the summer of 2020 alone, and unfortunately heat-related deaths in the UK are predicted to triple within 30 years.”
The warm spell is then likely to last for much of next week and into the weekend, especially in southern areas.
Looking this far ahead always involves some uncertainty and so the exact temperatures have yet to be determined. However, it is possible that temperatures will rise above 86F in the coming days.
Mr Keates added: ‘The second half of next week will be hotter, although we don’t know exactly how hot. Temperatures from mid to over 30 are not excluded, but not guaranteed.
Meteorologist and presenter Alex Deakin of Met Office agreed, adding: “There is good model certainty that we will see a spike in temperatures early next week, but there is a possible scenario where temperatures will be even higher by the end of next week.” become.
“A more likely scenario is that temperatures will return to something similar to Monday and Tuesday and there is also a chance that temperatures will be much closer to the average.”