The Met Office, England’s national weather service, extended its “life threatening” warning on Wednesday due to a heatwave expected to hit much of England and Wales over the weekend.
An extreme heat warning is in effect from Sunday 17th until the end of Tuesday 19th, with more heat expected on Monday or Tuesday.
“Extreme heat can have adverse health effects across the population, not just those who are vulnerable, but serious illness or life-threatening conditions,” the Met Office said in a statement.
With temperatures expected to soar to almost 40C, widespread disruption is also possible, including road closures and cancellations and delays to train and air travel.
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Forecasters believe the UK has a 30% chance of exceeding the current temperature of 38.7C set in Cambridge in 2019.
A heatwave is a result of warm air flowing into the UK from mainland Europe.
Heatwaves have become hotter, longer and more frequent due to climate change, and experts are warning of the need to adapt homes and cities in the UK for a future of intense – and deadly – summer heat.
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“Higher temperatures in the UK will occur when our climate is affected by air masses from continental Europe or North Africa – and that will be at the weekend,” said Mark McCarthy, head of the Met’s National Climate Information Centre.
“There is already built-in warming from climate change across the continent, which increases the chance that the UK will break its current temperature record,” he added.
Ambulance services are already on high alert as hot weather strains the health system, compounded by coronavirus infections among National Health Service (NHS) staff and persistent delays in transporting patients to emergency rooms.
The London Ambulance Service urged members of the public to support him as the heat wave continues, urging them to make phone calls only in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
The service recommends people hydrate and get out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day. Britons are being encouraged to keep their homes cool.
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The Charity The Royal Life Saving Society UK has warned people against trying to cool off in lakes, quarries, rivers and other waterways due to the risk of accidents.
In some areas, the heat wave comes after months of below-average rainfall, and water companies are urging households to conserve water amid rising demand.
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