Following record-breaking temperatures yesterday, amber warnings for heat remain in place for today as experts predict thermometers could climb even higher. Kew Gardens in south-west London logged a provisional all-time high spring temperature at 34.8C on Monday.
The Met Office highlighted 12 locations where the record was surpassed on the bank holiday, spanning Suffolk, Berkshire and Warwickshire, while 97 of its monitoring stations reached or exceeded 30C. Prior to that day, the all-time May peak stood at 32.8C, first recorded in 1922 and matched in 1944.
The unusual warmth has persisted through the night, leaving many people with incredibly uncomfortable evenings. Nighttime temperatures stayed above 19C in certain southern areas, creating the warmest May night ever recorded. Although respite is on the way later this week, the anticipated high for parts of southern England and Wales today is 35C warns the Met Office.
Health Alerts and Risks
With the criteria for a heatwave already met, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber health alerts for several areas, warning of a risk of considerable strain on health services, and an increased risk to health for individuals aged over 65 years or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The alert will remain in place until Wednesday.
Dr Anya Gopfert, Consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA, said: "We know that even moderate heat can lead to serious health problems, especially for older people and those with certain health conditions, so it's important that everyone takes simple precautions. If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice."
These higher temperatures also affect people who are unable to keep themselves cool, such as those sleeping rough or residing in poorly ventilated housing. However, because they are so elevated, even fit and healthy individuals can begin to suffer from heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Tips for Staying Cool
Here are some practical, easy ways to keep your home comfortable during a heatwave:
- Keep windows and curtains closed: Trap cooler air inside by shutting windows, blinds, and curtains on the sunny sides of your home during the hottest parts of the day.
- Create a cross-breeze: Open windows on opposite sides of your property during the cooler evening hours to force trapped heat out.
- The ice and fan trick: Place a bowl of ice or frozen water bottles directly in front of an electric fan to circulate a much cooler, refreshing mist.
- Shut off unnecessary electronics: Switch off appliances, computers, and televisions at the wall, as they generate surprising amounts of background heat when left on standby.
- Skip the oven: Avoid using heat-generating kitchen appliances like the oven or hob, and opt for crisp salads, cold meals, or microwave cooking instead.
- Swap your bedding: Change thick duvets for lightweight, breathable cotton sheets, which help regulate your body temperature much better overnight.
- Keep internal doors open at night: Once the outside temperature drops after sunset, open your internal doors to allow cool air to flow freely between rooms.
- Apply to the outside: Tape the tin foil to the exterior of your window panes to reflect the sun's rays before they touch the glass.
Pet Safety
Pets are also at risk in heatwaves it is important to take precautions. Leave walks until the evening when the pavements have cooled and temperatures have fallen. Also, ensure there is plenty of cool, fresh water available.
Heatwave Criteria and Forecast
To be classified as a heatwave, temperatures must reach or exceed a particular threshold for three consecutive days. The maximum heatwave threshold in the UK at this time of year is 28C, which covers London and areas north of the capital towards Cambridgeshire.
Temperatures will begin to steadily drop from midweek onwards, though conditions will remain largely dry with sunny intervals. Many locations will still see temperatures in the high 20Cs.
This follows a week that saw temperatures plummet to minus 5C in Scotland, with daytime highs more broadly peaking at around 14C to 15C. "We see these changes happening so much more dramatically. In the past, heatwaves built and built and built and built over days and days and days – these now just develop so quickly," Met Office senior forecaster Greg Dewhurst said.
