Motorists are being encouraged to reconsider where they park as temperatures are set to rise once more this week, with extreme heat expected to affect large parts of the UK, including Wales. Forecasters suggest a further heatwave could be declared as the mercury climbs across England and parts of Wales, following a brief respite over the weekend.
Temperatures Could Peak at 35C
Temperatures could peak at as high as 35C in certain areas. Yellow heat health alerts have already been put in place for several regions from Monday morning through to Friday. High pressure is expected to build to the south of the UK, allowing temperatures to rise again as warm air sweeps in from continental Europe. The most intense conditions are anticipated across central and eastern England by Tuesday, before extending further north and west.
Wednesday is currently proposed to be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures between 30C and 35C possible across much of England and east Wales.
Advice for Drivers
With another prolonged period of intense heat approaching, drivers are being advised to avoid leaving their vehicles parked on exposed driveways, reports the Express. While many motorists think nothing of leaving cars on driveways, most driveways across the UK are exposed to direct sunlight for a considerable portion of the day. This is particularly the case on newer housing developments, where front gardens have frequently been replaced with parking spaces.
Motoring specialists at Select Car Leasing say relocating a vehicle to a shaded spot wherever possible can help prevent the interior from reaching dangerously high temperatures. They pointed out that vehicles essentially function like greenhouses—sunlight penetrates through the windows and warms up seats, dashboards and steering wheels before the heat gets trapped within the cabin, leading to a rapid rise in temperature.
Interior Heat Risks
According to the specialists, when the external temperature hits around 25C, the interior of a stationary vehicle can exceed 40C within just 30 minutes. With forecasts predicting considerably higher temperatures across certain areas this week, conditions inside parked cars could become even more unbearable. Parking in shaded areas helps minimise the amount of direct sunlight striking the windows and bodywork, meaning the temperature within the vehicle typically stays much closer to the ambient air temperature outside, making returning to the car later substantially more comfortable.
Electric Vehicle Owners Advised
The guidance is especially relevant for electric vehicle owners. The AA states that lithium-ion batteries operate most effectively when temperatures fall between 20C and 25C. The organisation said: "Extreme heat is best avoided in storage and in use. But in particular, it's better to keep the vehicle out of direct heat when parked. The battery's thermal management system will cause the batteries to be drained, as the system keeps the temperature down for optimum efficiency."
Specialists also suggest using reflective windscreen shades to prevent the dashboard and interior from heating up in direct sunshine. Prior to setting off, drivers can open the passenger-side window while repeatedly opening and closing the driver's door to help expel hot air from the cabin. When activating the air conditioning, directing the initial blast of cool air through the footwell vents can further assist in removing hot air more efficiently.
