The Met Office has issued rare red and amber weather warnings for extreme heat across the UK, with temperatures forecast to reach 40°C in parts of England on Wednesday and Thursday. The red warning, which started at 9am on Wednesday and lasts until 9pm on Thursday, covers 48 areas including Birmingham, London, Oxford, Cardiff and Bath. The forecaster warns of danger to life, population-wide health impacts, and potential power cuts.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Expected
According to the Met Office, the UK will experience a two-to-three-day period where maximum temperatures in the shade exceed 37°C, possibly rising to 38-40°C in some places. The record for the hottest June day may be broken this week. The forecaster stated: "Hot and humid weather is expected to continue through the middle of the week, with exceptionally warm temperatures both day and night."
The Met Office added: "Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life." They also warned of "failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment" which could result in "the probable loss of power and other essential services, such as water, electricity, gas or mobile phone services."
20 Hottest Counties on Wednesday
Based on Met Office regional forecasts and warning zones, the hottest parts of the country are concentrated in southern, central and eastern England, plus parts of southeast Wales. Here is the full list of the 20 hottest counties for Wednesday:
- 20. Flintshire – 35°C
- 19. Monmouthshire – 35-36°C
- 18. Leicestershire – 36°C
- 17. West Midlands – 36-37°C
- 16. Somerset – 36-37°C
- 15. Hampshire – 37°C
- 14. Wiltshire – 37°C
- 13. Gloucestershire – 37°C
- 12. Warwickshire – 37-38°C
- 11. Northamptonshire – 37-38°C
- 10. Bedfordshire – 38°C
- 9. Cambridgeshire – 38°C
- 8. Oxfordshire – 38°C
- 7. Berkshire – 38-39°C
- 6. Buckinghamshire – 38-39°C
- 5. Hertfordshire – 38-39°C
- 4. Greater London – 39°C
- 3. Essex – 39°C
- 2. Surrey – 39°C
- 1. Kent – 39°C
Health Advice and Precautions
The Met Office advised: "Keep yourself safe by following these simple steps to reduce the likelihood of the heat making you feel unwell; drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am-3pm when the sun is strongest and close curtains in rooms that face the sun. If you are going out take water with you, stay in the shade, wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat."
Regarding potential power cuts, the Met Office said: "People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items."
