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.

Basic points

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Pictured: Brits enjoying the heat this week

A man enjoys the good weather with his dog at Seapoint Beach in South Dublin on Sunday (PA Wire) People enjoying the warm weather on Scarborough Beach, North Yorkshire (PA Wire) People on the beach at Barry Island, Wales (PA Wire) Joe Middleton July 12, 2022 11:10 am 1657618134

Huge fire engulfs North Yorkshire countryside amid heat wave

Huge fire engulfs North Yorkshire countryside amid heat wave Joe Middleton July 12, 2022 10:28 am 1657616726

The TUC is urging staff to work from home or adjust hours during the heatwave

The TUC urged employers to relax dress codes, let staff work from home or adjust their hours during the UK heat wave. The TUC says employers can help their workers by:

Sunscreen: Prolonged sun exposure is dangerous for outdoor workers, so employers should provide sunscreen. Allowing flexible working: Giving staff the opportunity to come in earlier or stay later will allow them to avoid the suffocating and unpleasant conditions of the rush hour commute. Bosses should also consider allowing staff to work from home while it’s hot. Keeping workplace buildings cool: Workplaces can be kept cooler and more tolerable by taking simple steps such as opening windows, using fans, moving personnel away from windows or heat sources, or installing ventilation or air cooling. Temporarily relaxing dress codes in their workplace: Encouraging staff to work in more casual clothing than normal – leaving jackets and ties at home – will help them stay cool. Keeping staff comfortable: Allowing staff to take frequent breaks and providing a supply of cold drinks will all help keep workers cool. Talking and listening to staff and their union: Staff will have their own ideas about how best to deal with extreme heat. Sensitive times and shaded areas for outdoor workers: Outdoor work should be scheduled for early morning and late afternoon, not between 11am-3pm. when UV levels and temperatures are higher. Bosses must provide canopies/umbrellas where possible.

Joe Middleton July 12, 2022 10:05 am 1657616428

Heatwaves are getting worse – what role is climate change playing?

As summer kicks into high gear, heatwaves have already hit parts of the United States, Europe and South Asia with record-breaking temperatures and deadly conditions. Over the past 100 years, heat waves have become hotter and more frequent around the world, according to the latest report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading authority on climate science. The average global temperature has risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) since the start of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. The IPCC is clear about what is causing this additional heat in the atmosphere: emissions largely generated by humanity’s burning of fossil fuels.

Heatwaves are getting worse – what role is climate change playing?

About 90 percent of the heat is absorbed by the ocean Joe Middleton July 12, 2022 10:00 am 1657614628

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