UK temperatures set to hit 91F on hottest day of the year so far
Workers claim it’s ‘too hot’ for the office! Employees demand to WFH with temperatures poised to hit 91FARENHEIT as train and tube carriages swelter – but others rise early and head straight to the beach to make most of hottest day of year
- Temperatures will hit 33C (91F) today and tomorrow, 29C (84F) on Wednesday and 28C (82F) on Thursday
- Forecasters say this weekend could see 36C (97F) with some even predicting a staggering 43C (109F)
- UK’s hottest day of 2022 so far was June 17 when Santon Downham in Norfolk got up to 32.7C (90.8F)
- Met Office says highest temperature ever recorded was 38.7C (101.6F) in Cambridge on July 15, 2019
- Level Three heat-health alert from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) runs from today until Friday
Britons were today set to experience the hottest day of the year so far today with temperatures expected to hit 33C (91F) amid a heat-health alert and a one in three chance of the country’s warmest day on record this week.
Sunbathers were already hitting Bournemouth beach and the parks of London early this morning – while human resources experts called on employers to allow staff to work from home in the heat to avoid an ‘arduous’ commute in the stifling conditions, adding that hot weather ‘always increases sick days being called in’.
The mercury in central, southern and eastern England will soar again this afternoon amid a heatwave blasting the nation – with the hot weather set to last until at least the weekend when temperatures could get up to 36C (97F).
But it comes after a tropical night during which temperatures were still at 20C (68F) at midnight in London – with Twitter users posting memes about having trouble getting to sleep. One said: ‘It’s too hot to sleep. I’m not bitter at all if you have air con this week.’ Another added: ‘Can’t sleep in this heat even with my fan on full, it’s not helping.’
The UK’s hottest day of 2022 so far was June 17 when Santon Downham in Norfolk got up to 32.7C (90.8F) – while the country’s highest temperature ever recorded was the 38.7C (101.6F) in Cambridge on July 15, 2019.
Parts of the UK will be hotter than some of the world’s top beach destinations such as Hawaii, Jamaica, the Maldives and the Bahamas this week – with 33C (91F) highs expected today and tomorrow, and 29C (84F) on Wednesday. This will be followed by 28C (82F) this Thursday, 27C (81F) on Friday and 31C (88F) on Saturday.
The Met Office said there is a 30 per cent chance of the UK experiencing its hottest day ever day this Sunday – with the current forecast for 36C (97F) highs in London, although this could be upgraded in the coming days.
The whole of England will experience largely sunny days with some cloud throughout this week, but Scotland and Northern Ireland could see downpours on Tuesday and northern England will see some rain on Friday.
The forecast comes after a very hot weekend that saw Britain enjoy UK highs of 30.1C (86.2F) yesterday and 27.5C (81.5F) on Saturday, after 29.3C (84.7F) last Friday – with all three temperatures recorded in London.
Speaking about the prospect of more sick days during the heatwave, Laura Rennie, managing director of Arena HR in Kilmarnock, said: ‘The hot weather always increases sick days being called in. So many employees are fed up with their work and lifestyle in general that an opportunity for a day off in the sun is just too much of a temptation.
A woman enjoys going into the water off Bournemouth beach in Dorset today as people go out early to enjoy the weather
Sunbathers enjoys the weather at Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as people go out early to enjoy the weather
A woman enjoys sunbathing at Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as people go out early to enjoy the weather
A woman enjoys sunbathing at Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as people go out early to enjoy the weather
A man uses a shisha pipe while on Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as the UK enjoys a heatwave
A woman enjoys sunbathing at Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as people go out early to enjoy the weather
A man walks along Bournemouth beach in Dorset this morning as people go out early to enjoy the warm weather
‘To combat this I’ve seen more and more employers giving their staff ‘sunny days’. This is one or two extra days annual leave that they can use for unexpected warm days.
‘In Britain we really don’t know when this is going to happen so having a day or two that can be used at short notice keeps everyone happy. Sick days reduce and staff morale increases. Win, win.’
And HR expert Rachel Suff, wellbeing adviser for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development professional body, told MailOnline: ‘Where possible, employers should be flexible with working arrangements and allow people to work from home in very hot weather if they will be more comfortable and productive at home.
‘Commuting can be arduous in hot weather, so allowing people to stagger their start and finish times to avoid travelling at peak rush hour could help. While there’s no specific legal minimum or maximum temperature for workplaces in the UK, employers need to make sure the temperature in workplaces is reasonable.’
She added that workplaces in old buildings or those with lots of glass can become extremely hot – and employers should be aware of the health risks which can particularly affect those with a disability or health condition.
But, speaking about sick days, she continued: ‘There could be some cases of genuine illness if there is a heatwave, particularly among employees who have an ongoing health condition. Employers should be proactive and email employees about self-care practices for keeping cool, such as using a fan and staying hydrated.
‘Where possible employers should be flexible about working arrangements, such as working from home and staggering shift times to avoid an uncomfortable and crowded commute. They should also remind employees about their policy for managing absence and expected behaviour, including in cases of non-genuine absence.’
She also said that there should not be an assumption that lots of employees go sick because it it hot, adding that research shows ‘presenteeism, working when ill, can be more of a problem in many workplaces than absenteeism’.
A Level Three heat-health alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) began this morning, advising Britons to stay inside during the middle of the day, drink extra fluids and take extra care of young children.
Professor Mike Tipton, an extreme environments expert at Portsmouth University, warned of the health issues that can arise from high temperatures and claimed Britain could see nearly 2,000 extra deaths due to the heatwave.
Lindsay O’Brien and Sophie Bloomfield in the Serpentine at Hyde Park this morning as temperatures rise in London
A man takes a morning swim at Hyde Park in London today as Britons are set to sizzle on the hottest day of the year so far
A woman sits on a park bench reading as a heron is seen near the fountain in Kensington Gardens in West London today
A man sunbathes at Kensington Gardens in West London this morning as temperatures soar once again
A woman shields her face from the sun while walking through Hyde Park in London in the hot weather this morning
A man cycles through Kensington Gardens in West London this morning as the UK enjoys very hot temperatures
A man sunbathes at Kensington Gardens in West London this morning as temperatures soar once again
A woman cycles through Kensington Gardens in West London this morning as the UK enjoys very hot temperatures
Dexter the dog cools off in the River Rea in Birmingham this morning during the summer heatwave
Dexter the dog runs with a stick through the water of the River Rea in Birmingham this morning during the hot weather
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, he said: ‘You get an increased likelihood of blood clotting and cardiac problems because of the extra strain heat puts on the body. We’ll see anything between 1,000 to 2,000 excess deaths due to the heat over heatwaves and the vast majority of those are in the elderly.’
Met Office forecaster Greg Dewhurst said: ‘High pressure is going to dominate, with lots of sunshine, particularly in England and Wales. In Scotland and Northern Ireland it will be somewhat hazy at times with thick cloud moving in from the north-west, possibly bringing some rain at times.
‘But for most of us it will be a dry and sunny day, well into the high 20s from the morning, with central, southern and eastern parts of England to possibly see maximum highs of 33C. So it’s very possible tomorrow will be the hottest day of the year so far, it will certainly be on par with the existing record, maybe more.
‘It will also be very warm overnight going into Tuesday, remaining in the low 20s in cities, so many may experience an uncomfortable night.’
Mr Dewhurst added: ‘Tuesday will see the risk of a few showers across the north of the UK and slightly lower temperatures of 19C to 25C. It will remain hot with sunny spells in the south with highs of 27C to 33C.
‘Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will see a mixture of sunny spells, but the risk of showers in the north too. Temperatures 20C to 23C in the north and 24C to 28C in the south. Over the weekend, it looks set to be mainly dry and sunny and temperatures could rise back into the low to mid 30Cs.’
Some even predict the UK could reach a staggering 43C (109F) this weekend.
Met Office forecaster Steven Keates told The Sun: ‘We’re in for a real rollercoaster which may take people by surprise. (This) weekend we could have some really exceptional record-breaking heat and it will ramp up suddenly like someone has turned on the gas.
‘Some models from America indicate we could see 43C in East Anglia next Sunday, which would obliterate the current UK record.
‘At the moment we’ve got quite pleasant dry heat, but next weekend the dew point will rise and it will become very hot and sticky. The high humidity means temperatures won’t drop quickly at night.’
And BBC Weather presenter Simon King tweeted: ‘Some of the weather computer models we use are still coming up with temperatures in the mid-high 30’s on Sunday and Monday.
‘Still a way off but it has been too consistent to ignore. There’s ‘summer’ and then there’s ‘extreme heat’.’
Hot commuters use fans to try to cool themselves on a Central line train on the London Underground this morning
A thermometer records a temperature of 31.9C on a Central line train on the London Underground this morning
Commuters alight from and board a Central line train in the heat as they travel to work on the London Underground today
A thermometer records a temperature of 31.2C on a Jubilee line train on the London Underground this morning
Hot commuters make their way to work on a Central line train on the London Underground today
Commuters alight from and board a Central line train in the heat as they travel to work on the London Underground today
Commuters on board a Jubilee line train in the heat as they travel to work on the London Underground today
A thermometer records a temperature of 32.1C on a Bakerloo line train on the London Underground this morning
A man drinks from a water bottle on a Central line train this morning on the London Underground network
Commuters pack onto a Central line train in the heat as they travel to work on the London Underground today
In addition, meteorologist Matt Taylor told BBC Breakfast: today ‘Some parts of South East England, East Anglia will be close to if not above 30C all week long, and by next weekend we could be even hotter.
Boy, 16, dies after getting into difficulty while swimming in old quarry
A 16-year-old boy has died after getting into difficulty in the water at an abandoned quarry in Lancashire.
Officers from Lancashire Police were called by paramedics to East Quarry in Appley Bridge at around 9:40pm on Saturday.
The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene and his death is not being treated as suspicious, Lancashire Constabulary said.
The boy’s family have been informed, the force added.
In 2015, 13-year-old Miracle Godson – a promising young rugby player from Wigan – died after getting into difficulties in the quarry’s deep waters.
And in 1999, 17-year-old Craig Croston drowned at the site after also getting into trouble in the water.
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said: ‘Emergency services attended the scene and following a search the body of a 16-year-old boy was recovered from the water. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.’
We could be getting close to challenging the UK national heat record, which currently stands at 38.7C. Now it’s a while off yet and things could change, but things are looking hot next weekend.’
A Level Three heat-health alert, labelled ‘heatwave action’, has been issued for this week by the UKHSA for the South East, East and London regions – highlighting the potential health impacts of the conditions.
It says: ‘Look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions. Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.
‘Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol, dress appropriately for the weather and slow down when it is hot.’
The alerts began at 9am this morning and will be in place until 9am this Friday as it stands.
A Level Two alert – labelled ‘alert and readiness’ has been issued for the South West, East Midlands, West Midlands, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber regions.
This states: ‘Hot weather can be dangerous, especially for the very young or very old or those with chronic disease.’
The extreme heat predicted for this week means that South West Water has called on customers to try to save five litres of water a day to maintain reservoir levels, admitting that pressure on supplies is building.
Lisa Gahan, the director responsible for water resources, said there had been no restrictions in the region since 1976 and ‘if we are careful we can have another year without any restrictions’.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: ‘We want everyone to enjoy the hot weather when it arrives, but also to check in on their vulnerable family, friends and neighbours to make sure they are prepared for the warm conditions ahead.
The sun rises at Roker beach in Sunderland this morning as early walkers, fishermen and sunrise watchers enjoy the cool air
The sun rises at Roker beach in Sunderland this morning at the start of a very hot week across England
The sun rises at Roker beach in Sunderland this morning as early walkers enjoy the cool air
The sun rises at Dunsden in Oxfordshire this morning at the start of what will be a very hot week for England
A fiery sunrise at the start of another very hot day at Dunsden in Oxfordshire this morning
‘High temperatures are predicted for a prolonged period, so make sure to follow our simple health advice to beat the heat, such as covering windows exposed to direct sunlight and making sure that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly.’
And Sam Hughes, National Water Safety Partner at the RNLI, urged Brits to stay safe at the coast, when they’re cooling off.
‘If you are planning on going to the beach we would encourage you to visit a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags.
‘If you get into trouble in the water, Float to Live: lean back, use your arms and legs to stay afloat. Control your breathing, then call for help or swim to safety. In a coastal emergency, call 999 or 112 for the Coastguard.’
Source: Read Full Article