Summer could well be its hottest ever, with Britons set to bake in 30°C heat today, as forecasters warn we are now facing a ‘historic, even unprecedented’ dome of heat.
Meteorologists have warned that sweltering temperatures over Europe could end in July and August, setting off a “cruel” summer.
Early models suggest the development of a heat dome — a mass of stagnant hot air — over Europe, creating a long heat wave.
The With Office has warned that temperatures could hit 104F (40C) on Sunday or Monday, which would beat the July 2019 record 101.66F (38.7C).
Sunday and Monday nighttime temperatures may also break records, exceeding 75.F (23.9C) in August 1990.
Meteorologists have warned that sweltering temperatures over Europe could end in July and August, setting off a “cruel” summer. In the photo, temperatures rose above 30°C on London’s Central Line on Monday
‘Tropical nights’ can pose a ‘very high risk’ for the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, as they don’t have time to recover from the daytime heat.
Forecasters have also warned that the high temperatures could trigger flash floods and severe thunderstorms, with torrents of water filling cities in much the same way as London last year.
A heat dome will be “undoubtedly historic and possibly on the scale of the summer of 2003,” Met Office meteorologist Paul Davies told the i†
That year, 70,000 people died in Europe during a heat wave, and 2,000 died in the UK,
“The latest heat wave may not be the last, there’s every chance another plume or plumes will move north on the western side of the continental European heat dome,” added Dr Davies.
Early models suggest the development of a heat dome — a mass of stagnant hot air — over Europe, creating a long heat wave. Pictured, a field of crops in Ripon burns in the heat
It comes as Britons are warned of widespread disruption as temperatures look set to reach a dangerously high peak in the coming days.
An ‘amber’ warning of extreme heat covering much of England and Wales on Sunday and Monday says there could be life-threatening or potentially serious illness, with adverse health effects not just limited to the most vulnerable.
An ongoing heat wave could plunge the country into drought.
Britons have been urged by Water Regulator Ofwat to reduce their showers to five minutes and only use washing machines and dishwashers when fully loaded, in an effort to conserve water.
There could also be road closures and delays and cancellations of rail and air travel, while ambulance services in England are at the highest level of alert as hot weather issues combine with Covid absenteeism among staff and ongoing delays in transferring patients to A&E.
Today, Thursday and Friday are likely to see some rain in the north of the UK and maximum temperatures of 27°C or 28°C – slightly cooler than yesterday when parts of South East England were 31°C.
But temperatures are expected to rise again over the weekend into the mid-30s before peaking Monday, with the southeastern parts of the UK seeing them rise to over 95F (35C) and locally into the highs. 30s.
Forecaster Matthew Box said: ‘As we get there on Sunday it looks like we could see temperatures rise into the high 20s and low 30s, but possibly a few spots reaching 34C or 35C by Sunday and probably the same on Monday.
“We could see temperatures moving towards the mid or high 30s on Monday and there’s about a 30% chance we could see the UK record break, most likely right now on Monday.”
High temperatures could also persist into Tuesday.
“Looks like it’s going to be hot or very hot over the weekend and next week,” Mr Box added.
He explained that the heat wave is the result of hot air flowing into the UK from the continent.
Britons have been urged by Water Regulator Ofwat to reduce their showers to five minutes and only use washing machines and dishwashers when fully loaded, in an effort to conserve water. Pictured, cracked earth during low tide of the Carew River in Pembrokeshire
He said: ‘What happens when we come over the weekend, the high pressure is centered to the east of the UK and that allows a southerly airflow to drag up, the very warm air that is currently over France, and drag it northwards to the UK at the weekend, maybe more on Sundays and Mondays.’
Heat waves have been made hotter, longer and more frequent by climate change, and experts have warned of the need to adapt homes and towns in the UK for a future of more intense summer heat.
Network Rail is preparing to implement speed limits to reduce the chances of the rail buckling during the ongoing heat wave, which will cause delays to passenger travel and disrupt freight traffic.
London Ambulance Service urged the public to support it as the heat continues by calling only 999 in the event of a life-threatening emergency, staying hydrated and out of the sun during the hottest times of the day.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK warned people of the dangers of trying to cool off in lakes, quarries, rivers and other waterways in extremely hot weather.