BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay left his co-host Sally Nugent alone in the studio on Wednesday (June 24) to present from Richmond Upon Thames, where he issued an urgent Met Office red extreme heat warning carrying a 'risk to life' alert.
Rare Red Alert Issued as Temperatures Soar
Just minutes into the broadcast, Kay alerted viewers to severe warnings indicating a real danger to life, due to an uncommon red extreme heat warning being issued as temperatures skyrocket across the UK, according to the Mirror.
Kay stated: 'Today we are here to cover a really serious story. Parts of England and Wales are bracing for an extreme red heat alert, which has been issued by the Met Office.'
He elaborated: 'It means millions of us are set to be affected today so let's just show you the areas where people are going to find things most challenging over the next few hours.'
Red Alert Covers Southern England, Midlands, and South-East Wales
The programme then switched to a map as Kay detailed: 'This red alert will come into force across southern England, across the Midlands and south-east Wales and it starts at nine o'clock this morning.'
Kay issued a stern warning: 'It carries a risk to life warning and it's only the second time that the Met Office has ever issued an alert like this. The temperature here in Richmond is already 22-23 Celsius but it could reach 38 in some places later.'
He went on to say: 'It's the humidity as well, which is going to make things even more challenging.' The camera then swept over the scene, as he remarked: 'If you look over the bridge you can see the air - it feels really humid and sticky and we are just on the outskirts of London.'
Schools Close and Travel Disruption Expected
A number of schools throughout England and Wales are either fully or partially shutting down, and rail passengers are being advised to refrain from non-essential travel today and Thursday (June 25). Operating fewer trains reduces strain on the railway infrastructure. The aim is also to limit the number of people affected by any disruption and to create room in the schedule so any delays cause less of a knock-on impact.
BBC Breakfast airs everyday from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
