New UK temperature maps have turned a deep, blood red as a relentless burst of heat raises the mercury to 30C and beyond, with parts of the country set to become hotter than Italy.
Record-Breaking May Heat
The sweltering heatwave that dominated the bank holiday weekend has made parts of the country unbearably hot, breaking records for May. On Monday, the mercury surged to 34.8C in west London, higher than ever seen before, breaking a more than century-old record established in May 1922. This has been hailed as a "bonkers" day for the weather forecast.
The capital is only expected to get hotter by Tuesday, and weather maps of Europe show the local heat could outstrip parts of Italy by up to 10C.
Temperature Maps Forecast
The maps, from WXCharts, show nearly the entirety of England bathed in a foreboding red glow as temperatures return to the 30C range from as early as midday on Tuesday. At that time, charts show highs up to 31C, with the heat set to intensify until the evening, building up to what the Met Office predicts could be 34C by 4pm.
At the same time, typically warmer Italy, which is also impacted by the Europe-wide heatwave, will see temperatures closer to its seasonal average. While some parts of the nation are under similar low-to-mid 30C highs, such as Florence and Palma, parts of Italy just outside Rome will see highs just around 24C. Towns and villages in the province of L'Aquila will be the coolest in the country while the rest of it bakes.
Regional Temperature Variations
The cooler temperatures will run up Italy's centre as far north as the province of Massa and Carrara. This news won't come as a major shock to those familiar with the Mediterranean nation, as the cold will descend on some of its most highly elevated regions. Only residents of those areas will escape the heat, with other parts of Italy baking in highs ranging from 31C to 35C, the WXCharts maps suggest. While it is typically hotter, the weather is still unusual for Italy, and scientists have warned that extreme heat across Europe will only become more common in the years to come.
Health Warnings Issued
Experts have warned people to take care in the heat, with older populations being the most vulnerable in "even moderate" temperatures. 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 while enjoying the warm weather over the coming days. 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."
The heatwave has gripped Europe this bank holiday weekend, with the entirety of the continent affected by extreme temperatures. Scientists warn that such extreme spring heatwaves will become more frequent due to climate change, as the Met Office's 80-year record is smashed.
