The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has issued a stark warning to the public to drink responsibly and avoid exercising outdoors as the UK endures a punishing heatwave that has shattered June temperature records. Craig Harman, chief operating officer of LAS, urged people to consume plenty of water between alcoholic beverages and to stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
The Met Office reported that temperatures reached 36.7C in Merryfield, Somerset, on Thursday afternoon, provisionally making it the UK’s hottest June day on record. Similar highs are expected on Friday, with London potentially hitting 36C and Manchester 35C. Belfast and Cardiff could see 26C. The rare red weather warnings for extreme heat have been extended into Friday, covering London and parts of east and southeast England, including Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, and Kent.
Hospitals Under Strain
Several hospitals have declared critical incidents due to the heatwave. University Hospital Southampton canceled planned operations and outpatient appointments, while Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust both declared critical incidents on Wednesday. Nicola Shopland, chief nurse at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, south London, warned that the Wimbledon tennis championships, starting Monday, could increase demand for emergency services. She advised attendees to stay hydrated, keep cool, and wear sunscreen.
Ambulance Services Overwhelmed
On Wednesday, LAS responded to its highest number of life-threatening emergencies ever, with a 50% increase in such calls compared to a typical Wednesday in June. Cardiac arrests rose by 30%. Jason Killens, LAS chief executive, said the extreme heat can affect anyone, not just those with pre-existing conditions. He noted that all non-essential training and meetings have been canceled, and clinical staff not usually deployed on the front line have been redeployed.
Infrastructure Concerns
Dr. Hilary Williams, clinical vice president of the Royal College of Physicians, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the heatwave exposes the poor infrastructure of the health service. She reported elderly care wards exceeding 30C and critical machinery, such as MRI scanners and linear accelerators used for cancer treatment, failing due to the heat. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has called for air conditioning to be rolled out to schools, offices, and hospitals as part of the city’s first heat plan.
Transport Disruptions and Wildfires
Transport services have been disrupted, with one rail operator urging people not to travel for beach trips. In Derbyshire, firefighters continued battling a 500 square metre wildfire on Tintwistle Moor. A 50-year-old man died after entering the water at Aberavon beach in Wales on Wednesday, police confirmed.
Heat Dome and Climate Change
The current heatwave is driven by a “heat dome” – an area of high pressure that stalls over a region and traps heat – settling over western Europe. Human-driven climate change, largely from burning fossil fuels, is making such extreme heatwaves more frequent and intense. The Met Office has issued red warnings for three consecutive days for the first time, with amber warnings covering a wider area on Friday. Thunderstorm warnings are in place for parts of Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Cooling Down Expected
Annie Shuttleworth, a Met Office meteorologist, said eastern England will see the highest temperatures on Friday, but conditions will “finally cool down this weekend.” Wales recorded its hottest June day on Thursday at 35.9C in Cardiff, while Northern Ireland matched its previous June record of 30.8C in Castlederg.
Electricity Supply
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) issued an electricity margin notice for Friday evening, asking companies to make additional capacity available due to the high temperatures. A NESO spokesperson emphasized that this is a routine tool and does not mean electricity supply is at risk.
