An NHS doctor has advised the public to avoid going outside between 11am and 3pm during the current heatwave, as a red Met Office warning for extreme heat comes into effect across parts of England and Wales. Temperatures are forecast to reach 40°C on Wednesday and Thursday, driven by a heat dome over western Europe.
Red Warning and Health Risks
The red Met Office warning covers an area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham, in effect from 9am Wednesday until 9pm Thursday. Temperatures could approach the UK's all-time record of 40.3°C, recorded in Lincolnshire in July 2022. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued red heat health alerts for the East of England, East Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the West Midlands, with amber alerts for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber, in place from 1am Wednesday until 11pm Thursday.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, NHS doctor Mohit Mandiratta said: "So, it is about doing all the simple things. Wear loose fitting cotton clothing, wide-brimmed hats, wear sunscreen, make sure it's in date, make sure it's at least factor 30. Get yourself some sports drinks if you can. They mimic what circulates in our system. So, are better for hydrating." He added: "We should be having six to eight cups or mugs of drinks a day. More when it's warmer. ... 11 to 3 p.m. is when we shouldn't go out. And again, checking on those vulnerable people."
Impact on the NHS and Infrastructure
Mandiratta highlighted the strain on the NHS: "We know that health settings always get busier. That red warning is really important because that's a risk to life as well as infrastructure. So obviously we've got the very old, the very young, those with chronic long-term health conditions will particularly be vulnerable. But actually everybody can be affected by this." He noted that buildings are not designed for such heat, with double glazing and radiators, and urged people to stay safe, hydrated, and cool.
The Met Office warned that the combination of severe heat and humidity may affect public health, infrastructure, power and water supplies, and could trigger heat-related problems across transport, energy, and water provision.
School Closures and Transport Disruption
The extreme heat has led to significant school closures. According to Somerset Council, almost 100 schools across Somerset will be fully closed on both Wednesday and Thursday. Around 100 schools in Buckinghamshire will be at least partially closed, and 86 in Gloucestershire, according to council figures. Some schools have permitted pupils to wear PE kit instead of full uniform.
Transport authorities have urged the public to avoid travelling on Wednesday and Thursday. National Rail warned of likely disruption to Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, and Thameslink services through to Friday. Avanti West Coast announced a reduced timetable between Tuesday and Thursday, and Chiltern Railways cancelled more than half of its services until Friday. Eurostar scrapped four trains between London and Paris on Wednesday and Thursday.
Vehicle Safety Advice
The AA reported that its overall workload was 6% above planned levels on Tuesday, reflecting increased demand. A spokesperson said: "As temperatures remain high, drivers should not underestimate the strain that hot weather can place on vehicles, particularly older cars and those that have not been serviced recently. We would encourage drivers to check tyre pressures, coolant and oil levels before setting off and to watch for signs of overheating." They advised carrying plenty of water, keeping a mobile phone charged, and ensuring sufficient fuel or battery charge, as air conditioning can increase consumption.
