The UK’s first extreme heat warning is in effect for large parts of England as authorities prepare for record temperatures that are already disrupting travel, healthcare and schools.
The “red” alert will be extended throughout Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius for the first time, posing a risk of serious illness and even death among healthy people, according to the meteorological office of the United Kingdom, the country’s meteorological service. The highest temperature ever recorded in Britain is 38.7 C, a record set in 2019.
Most homes, schools and small businesses in Britain have no air conditioning.
“We have 48 difficult hours,” Kit Malthouse, the government’s co-ordinating minister, told BBC radio.
The level 4 heat alert issued by the UK Meteorological Office is defined as a national emergency, which is used when a “heat wave” is so severe and / or prolonged that its effects extend beyond the health and social care system. At this level, illness and death can occur among fit and healthy people, not just high-risk groups. “
A woman is sunbathing on a balcony in Hackney, London, on Sunday. While some Britons gathered by the sea to beat the current heat wave, city dwellers found other ways to stay cool. (Hollie Adams / Getty Images)
London’s Kew Gardens reached 37.5 ° C at 3pm and Wales provisionally recorded its highest temperature of 35.3 ° C in Gogerddan, on the west coast, the Met said. Office.
Temperatures are expected to rise even further as warm air moves north on Tuesday, said Met Office CEO Penelope Endersby. The extreme heat warning extends from London in the south to Manchester and Leeds in the north.
“So it’s tomorrow when we’re really seeing the highest probability of 40 degrees and temperatures above,” Endersby told the BBC. “Forty-one isn’t off the charts. We even have about 43 on the model, but hopefully it’s not that high.”
Service interruptions in force
Train operators ask customers not to travel unless absolutely necessary because heat is likely to deform the rails and disrupt the power supply, causing severe delays. Some medical appointments have been canceled to relieve stress to the health service. While some schools have closed, others are installing children’s pools and water spray to help children cool off.
The government urged schools to remain open, but many had to close earlier than usual, demands for normal uniforms were abandoned and end-of-year sports days were canceled. Some schools were closed, resorting to block-style online classes.
Passengers are waiting for their train on a platform at West Norwood station in south London on Monday, with service interruptions due to extreme heat. (Niklas Halle’n / AFP / Getty Images)
And at least one major zoo, in Chester, said it would close for two days, while the London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo said many animals could retreat to “cool areas” and some exhibits could be closed.
Some factories also advanced their opening hours to prevent workers from hotter jobs, such as welding, from getting sick.
The fall of the night will bring little relief, as the meteorological office predicts temperatures of 29 ºC at midnight in London.
Monday night will be “very oppressive” and it will be difficult to sleep, chief meteorologist Paul Davies said.
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“Tomorrow is the day when we are really concerned about a good chance now of reaching 40 or 41 ºC, and with it all the health conditions that come with these higher temperatures,” he said.
The heat in Britain is reflected in much of Europe, where extreme temperatures and lack of rain are causing multiple major forest fires in France, Spain and elsewhere.