The Met Office has extended its Amber Extreme Heat Warning until Thursday, with temperatures in southern parts of the UK forecast to reach a sweltering 38C. Brits have been urged to close their windows during the hottest parts of the day to keep warm air out.
Heatwave Peak Days Shift to Wednesday and Thursday
Originally, temperatures were expected to peak at 34C on Tuesday. However, the Met Office now believes that Wednesday and Thursday will be the hottest days, with some southern areas reaching 38C. The heatwave begins tomorrow morning, when temperatures are expected to quickly rise to 34C in southern England. The heat will build further into Tuesday, with highs of 37C forecast for southern England and 35C in southeast Wales. By Friday, the UK will get some respite, with temperatures dipping back to 33C across eastern areas.
Health Risks and Red Cross Advice
The Met Office warned that humidity makes this heatwave even more impactful, with heat stress a danger to all. The Red Cross has issued advice about staying safe in the heat. It advised Brits to keep warm air out during the day and ventilate at night. “Opening a window doesn't always mean you're cooling your home. In fact, if the air outside is warmer you could risk making it worse,” the Red Cross said.
During the hottest parts of the day, it recommended closing windows to keep the warmer air out and checking the local forecast to gauge when temperatures will rise. Only when it starts to cool down should you open the windows again. The Met Office forecast that temperatures will stay above 20C overnight, making it difficult to sleep, so it may be worth investing in a thermometer to gauge when the outside temperature dips cooler than your home.
Additional Tips to Keep Cool
Even with windows closed, sun shining through glass can warm your home quickly. The Red Cross advised covering windows using blinds, curtains, or external shutters. “If you don’t have anything to block out the sun, hanging a bed sheet or towel should have a similar effect,” the Red Cross added.
The Red Cross also advised the public on what to do if encountering someone who has become ill due to the extreme weather. If someone appears to have heatstroke, you should call 999 immediately. Heatstroke is a medical emergency and can quickly become life-threatening. Symptoms include a body temperature over 40C, hot, flushed, and dry skin, headache, dizziness, discomfort, restlessness, confusion, and a full, bounding pulse.
