ITV News’ Miranda Schunke reports how the heatwave could affect health and services across the country Ministers held an emergency Cobra meeting after forecasters warned of record high temperatures in parts of England that could put lives at risk, prompting the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) to raise its heat warning from three to level four – a national emergency. It will be the second meeting of Cobra led by Cabinet Secretary Kit Malthouse Malthouse on the issue. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is understood not to attend. Forecasters have given an 80% chance of the mercury breaking the UK record temperature of 38.7C set in Cambridge in 2019, while there is a 50% chance it will break the 40C barrier somewhere in the red warning zone, which does not it has happened again. The hottest temperatures are forecast for Monday, with Tuesday still looking extremely hot, before the weather returns to more normal levels on Wednesday. The Met Office has warned that the high temperatures will put people’s lives at risk. Health officials fear that people living alone on the upper floors of buildings (which are likely to get hot) are among those who could be lost, with the over-75s and those with serious physical or mental illness also vulnerable. The public has been warned to watch out for sunburn and heat exhaustion, with changes to work practices and daily routines recommended. A colored sky over St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the north east coast of England just before sunrise Credit: Owen Humphreys/ PA Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge described the situation as “very serious”. “If people have vulnerable relatives or neighbors, now is the time to make sure they take the appropriate measures to be able to cope with the heat because if the forecast is as we think it will be in the red warning area, then people’s lives are at risk.” , he added. Trying to stay cool, drinking plenty of water and avoiding the sun when it’s hottest – especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. On Friday, a national emergency was declared after a red warning for extreme heat – meaning life is at risk and daily routines should be changed – was issued for the first time. The Met Office’s highest warning covers an area including London, Manchester and York on Monday and Tuesday. In addition to this warning, England’s health alert for heat has been upgraded to Level 4, a national emergency warning that even the fit and healthy could become ill or die, not just high-risk and vulnerable groups . It means the weather requires “a multi-sectoral response at national and regional levels”. People relax in the sun in Victoria, central London. Credit: PA A level three heat alert is in place for the rest of England, Wales and southern Scotland – where temperatures are expected to reach at least 30C – indicating that those who are vulnerable are at risk. Experts have said climate change is making heatwaves more likely, as well as more intense and lasting longer. Met Office chief executive Penny Endersby said people were struggling to know what to expect when “climate change has led to such unprecedented extreme weather”. “Here in the UK we’re used to treating a warm spell as an opportunity to go and play in the sun,” he added. “It’s not that kind of weather.” How is the weather forecast for the next few days? Forecasters have said there is an 80% chance the mercury will top the UK record temperature of 38.7C set in Cambridge in 2019. Temperatures will rise over the weekend and the Met Office has issued an orange heat warning covering much of England and Wales from Sunday to Tuesday. On Sunday the mercury will rise to 30 degrees in the capital, 27 in Cardiff, 24 in Belfast and 23 in Edinburgh. Temperatures are forecast to rise several more degrees across the country on Monday and Tuesday – into the mid-thirties for much of England and Wales. There is a 50% chance of temperatures reaching 40C somewhere in the UK, most likely along the A1 corridor, which runs from London to Scotland through counties including Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire and the North East. Want a quick and special update on the biggest news? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out what you need to know What impact will record temperatures have? Railroad speed restrictions may be needed to prevent potential damage, as extreme temperatures can cause rails to buckle. NHS leaders have warned there will be increased demand for ambulances and patients could be at risk if they are left outside hospitals by emergency vehicles in the scorching temperatures. The heat wave, which is spreading across Europe and has sparked fires in Portugal, France and Spain, has intensified problems with medical staff affected by Covid and ongoing delays in accessing A&E departments. Some schools in the south are also considering closing on Monday and Tuesday – and the National Education Association issued a statement saying it would support headteachers in making that decision. On the roads, gritters are planning to spread sand to reduce melting and the RAC has warned that more drivers are likely to need help as cars overheat in the scorching temperatures. Jake Kelly, of Network Rail, warned that journeys would take “significantly longer and delays are likely as speed restrictions are introduced to keep passengers and rail staff safe”. Train operators have warned passengers to avoid traveling on Monday and Tuesday unless their journey is “absolutely necessary”.
