Ministers are reportedly drawing up plans for an emergency response to the heatwave currently gripping the country, following the Met Office’s orange heat warning on Monday. The Daily Telegraph reported that a Cobra meeting was held in Downing Street on rising temperatures in the UK and the potential risk to life if temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius. An orange extreme heat warning has been issued by the Met Office for “extremely hot” temperatures until Sunday, with forecasters warning that the conditions could cause serious illness or even death. The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) could declare a “level four emergency” if the heat becomes so intense that “illness and death may occur among the healthy and able-bodied”. A spokesman told the newspaper: “There is a chance of heat level four. If it exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, then it is likely to be a level four heat wave for the first time.” The heatwave has only just begun and forecasters have refused to rule out the possibility that the UK could see record temperatures of 40C towards the end of the week.
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I’ve discovered the worst thing you can do in a heat wave – have none
No, it’s not the commute, although traveling on public transport during a heatwave is a lot like getting a one-way ticket straight to hell, writes Victoria Richards.
Opinion: I’ve discovered the worst thing you can do in a heatwave – have none
No, it’s not the commute, although traveling on public transport during a heatwave feels a lot like a one-way ticket straight to hell Joe Middleton 12 July 2022 09:30 1657612454
30 per cent chance of Sunday being the UK’s hottest day on record
There is a 30 per cent chance that Sunday will be the UK’s hottest day on record. On Monday, the Met Office issued an orange weather warning for extreme heat in parts of the UK as temperatures rise further this week. The rare warning states that there may be danger to life or possible serious illness as a result of the hot temperatures. Other issues could include road closures and delays or cancellations of rail and air travel. The Met Office said the warning was in effect from 12:01am. on Sunday until 11:59 p.m., when temperatures are forecast to soar into the 30s. The hottest day on record in the UK was 38.7C recorded at Cambridge Botanic Gardens in July 2019. On Monday, Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge told the PA news agency: “Parts of south-east England could top 35C on Sunday. “Right now, we’re looking at a 30% chance of seeing the UK’s hottest temperature on record.” Joe Middleton 12 July 2022 08:54 1657611453
Ministers ‘draw up heat emergency response plans’
Ministers are reportedly drawing up plans for an emergency response to the heatwave currently gripping the country, following the Met Office’s orange heat warning on Monday. The Telegraph reported that a Cobra meeting was held in Downing Street on rising temperatures in the UK and the potential risk to life if temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius. The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) could declare a “level four emergency” if the heat becomes so intense that “illness and death may occur among the healthy and able-bodied”. A spokesman told the newspaper: “There is a chance of heat level four. If it exceeds 40 degrees Celsius, then it is likely to be a level four heat wave for the first time.” Joe Middleton 12 July 2022 08:37 1657611204
See: Rare heat warning on Sunday
The Met Office has issued an orange warning for Sunday, with “extremely hot” temperatures expected in parts of England and Wales. See more about the warning on Independent TV:
Met Office issues orange heat warning as temperatures soar
The Met Office has issued an orange warning for Sunday (July 17), with “extremely hot” temperatures expected in parts of England and Wales. An orange warning can mean “possibility of travel delays, road and train closures, power cuts and possible risk to life and property”. Adverse health effects are expected and may not be limited to those vulnerable to heat, the Met said Office.Temperatures reached 32 degrees in parts of southern England on Monday (July 11) as the heat wave continued. Click here to subscribe to our newsletters. Zoe Tidman 12 July 2022 08:33 1657608324
What was the hottest temperature yesterday?
Let’s take a look at what happened yesterday – including the hottest temperature: Zoe Tidman 12 July 2022 07:45 1657605600
Tuesday brings a chance of light rain for some
Parts of the UK could see rain today as Britain continues to bake in a potentially record-breaking heat wave. The Met Office said some areas in northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will see light rain, but mainly in small amounts. Wales and central and southern England will see no such respite and temperatures will remain high, although forecasters expect the whole of the UK to have a much cloudier start to the day from Monday. The Independent will bring you all the weather news throughout the week. Stay tuned to see how Britain is doing in the latest heatwave. Liam James July 12, 2022 07:00 1657602000
“It’s hotter than hell!” British Airways passengers were forced to wait on a plane for 90 minutes
Passengers traveling on a delayed British Airways flight to London Heathrow were left waiting on a stormy plane for 90 minutes at Nice Airport last night (Jo Caird writes). Cabin crew handed out water to passengers but two became ill and had to be removed from the aircraft, according to MailOnline. After 90 minutes the pilot allowed the remaining passengers to deplane and wait on the flybridge. Smartphone footage shows passengers trying to stay cool on the flyover. Once back on board, the cabin crew handed out packets of crisps to the passengers. “It’s embarrassing. It’s hotter than hell on this plane. British Airways is killing us little by little,” said one passenger. “It’s really disgusting that they don’t have air conditioning. British Airways is literally a joke.’
British Airways passengers were forced to wait on a plane for 90 minutes
Two people became ill and were evacuated before the pilot was forced to allow the remaining passengers to wait on the bridge Liam James 12 July 2022 06:00 1657598400
Wales records its hottest day of the year so far
Rising temperatures saw Wales record its hottest day of the year so far on Monday. At 6pm on Monday, the Met Office tweeted: “Temperatures largely above 30C across much of England with Wales having its hottest day of the year so far.” In Wales, the temperature reached 28.7 degrees Celsius in Cardiff’s Bute Park. The highest temperatures recorded for the rest of the UK today were 32C in London, 27.5C in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire and 24.2C in Armagh, Northern Ireland. People on the beach at Barry Island, South Wales (PA) Liam James July 12, 2022 05:00 1657593600
The Met Office is issuing an orange weather warning for Sunday
The Met Office has issued an orange weather warning for extreme heat across much of the UK as temperatures rise further this week. The warning is in place from midnight on Sunday until 11.59pm, when temperatures are expected to soar to 30C, but the forecaster added it could be extended until Monday next week. Enforced in East Midlands, East of England, London, South East, North East, North West, South West, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber. A statement from the Met Office said: “There are likely to be adverse health effects across the population, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or risk to life. Government advice is that 999 services should only be used in emergencies. Call 111 if you need non-urgent health advice. “Substantial changes in work practices and daily routines [are] may be required. Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers resulting in an increased risk of water safety incidents. “Road delays and road closures are likely, along with rail and air travel delays and cancellations, with the potential for significant welfare issues for those experiencing even moderate delays.” The warning for Sunday covers most of England and parts of Wales (Met Office) Liam James 12 July 2022 03:40 1657588200
Mowers ready to build melting roads
A council is preparing to deploy chains in response to melting roads as temperatures soar. Hampshire County Council said the machines will spread a light dusting of sand. This “acts like a sponge to soak up excess tar,” according to the principle. Chains are commonly used to distribute salt during the winter to stop ice forming on roads. The areas most likely to be targeted by vehicles this week are those with older road surfaces, in rural locations and facing south. Residents are invited to report any road problems on the council’s website. Motorists who find tar stuck to their tires are advised to wash it off with hot water. Liam James July 12, 2022 02:10
