New EU border checks at the Port of Dover have been suspended as motorists endured lengthy queues amid rising temperatures at the start of a hot bank holiday weekend. Forecasters predict multiple temperature records could be broken over the coming days, with parts of the UK potentially hotter than the Seychelles on Saturday.
Disruption at Dover
Holidaymakers faced hours-long waits on Friday at the Port of Dover, and similar disruption continued on Saturday. To ease congestion, French authorities suspended additional EU border checks under the new Entry/Exit System (EES), the port announced. The port also stated that anyone who missed their ferry crossing due to queues could travel on the next available slot free of charge.
EES requires travellers from third-party countries, such as the UK, to have their fingerprints registered and a photograph taken to enter the Schengen Area, which comprises 29 European countries, mainly in the EU. More than 8,000 travellers are expected at the port on Saturday.
Record-Breaking Heat Expected
The disruption comes amid what is expected to be an exceptionally hot May bank holiday weekend. According to the Met Office, records could be broken for the hottest May day in the UK and England (currently 32.8C), the hottest May day in Wales (currently 30.6C), and the UK and England's hottest bank holiday (currently 33.3C).
Highs of 30C are likely in the south of England on Saturday, following the hottest day of the year so far on Friday, when temperatures reached 28.4C in Heathrow, Cambridge, and Cranwell in Lincolnshire. These highs would surpass temperatures forecast in Athens (Greece), Split (Croatia), and even Victoria in the Seychelles. However, some areas in the UK may experience cloudier conditions as a cold front brings patchy drizzle to north-west Scotland, Northern Ireland, and some western coastal regions. Peaks of 31C are expected on Sunday.
Cultural and Health Impacts
Marylebone Cricket Club has decided to dispense with the requirement for gentlemen to wear jackets in the pavilion for the match between Middlesex and Surrey on Sunday. The current May temperature record of 32.8C was logged in Camden Square, north London, in 1922, and in Horsham (West Sussex), Tunbridge Wells (Kent), and Regent’s Park (central London) in 1944.
UV levels will be high across much of the UK over the bank holiday weekend, with a UV index of seven expected in Cardiff and London on Saturday, and in Manchester on Sunday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat health alerts on Friday morning for the East Midlands, West Midlands, the east of England, London, and the South East. These alerts, which replace less severe yellow alerts, will remain in place until 5pm on Wednesday. The UKHSA website warns that there is likely to be a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, and increased demand on health and social care services. Yellow alerts have been issued for the north-east and north-west of England, Yorkshire and Humber, and the South West, indicating possible significant impacts on health and social care services.
