The UK could see its hottest day of the year so far, as parts of England may hit 38C during the peak of the fifth heatwave of the summer. Rare amber “extreme heat” warnings have been issued by the Met Office, also alerting to possible power cuts, for London and parts of the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands and South Yorkshire from 9am to midnight on Thursday.
Forecast and Warnings
Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said: “Temperatures (in areas covered by the amber warning) could reach highs of around 36, 37, possibly 38C. Now when you get these sorts of high temperatures, well that’s when we could see impacts to our infrastructure, our railway lines, our roads, they are not designed for this sort of heat. And more people are likely to be impacted by how hot it is with regards to their health.”
He added: “It could be the hottest day of the year so far if we get above 38C, and if we get above 38.5C, well it could be the hottest August day on record, but that’s actually pretty unlikely.” The highest temperature of the year was 38C recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 28.
Wildfires and Disruption
The prolonged hot and dry weather continues to heighten risks of wildfires, with firefighters still battling the blaze in New Forest and a new blaze at Saddleworth erupting overnight. The New Forest wildfire has been burning for a fifth day, affecting an area equivalent to around 230 football pitches, although the fire service says its perimeter is under control. Crews are expected to remain at the scene into the weekend.
West Midlands Railway services are being disrupted today due to the extreme heat, with temperatures potentially reaching 38C. Affected services include Birmingham Snow Hill with a reduced service, trains between Kidderminster and Whitlocks End not running, buses replacing trains on the Rugeley Trent Valley – Hednesford route from 11.30am until around 9.30pm, and services suspended between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town between midday and 7pm.
Health Advice and Areas Affected
The Met Office is urging people to take precautions as extreme heat brings the risk of sunburn, dehydration, nausea, fatigue and other heat-related illnesses. Advice includes drinking plenty of fluids, keeping out of the sun where possible, avoiding exercise between 11am and 3pm, closing curtains in rooms facing the sun, taking water when heading out, staying in the shade and wearing sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat, and checking on older and vulnerable people and those living alone. Anyone worried about their health or somebody else's is advised to contact NHS 111.
The amber warning covers dozens of areas across five regions of England, with temperatures could reach 37C or even 38C today. Regions include the East Midlands, East of England, London and South East, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humber. Forecast temperatures include 37C in London and Birmingham, 36C in Cambridge and Oxford, and 35C in Sheffield and Lincoln. The warning is in place from 9am until 11.59pm today.
