The UK is preparing for a significant heatwave with temperatures potentially reaching 38C, prompting travel advisories and health warnings.
The United Kingdom is bracing for what could be the hottest day of the year as temperatures are expected to soar to 38C in parts of England. This intense heatwave, the fifth of the summer, has prompted amber extreme heat warnings from the Met Office for regions including London, the South East, East Midlands, East of England, West Midlands, and South Yorkshire.
The warnings, in effect from 9am to midnight on Thursday come as the government responds to prolonged periods of exceptionally hot and dry weather. Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a meeting of the Cobra committee on Wednesday to address the escalating situation.
The Impact of Extreme Heat on Infrastructure and Health
Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill warned that temperatures could reach highs of around 36, 37, possibly 38C. Such extreme heat can have significant impacts on infrastructure, including railway lines and roads, which are not designed for these conditions.
Additionally, more people are likely to be affected by the heat, posing risks to their health.
Burkill noted that if temperatures exceed 38C it could be the hottest day of the year so far. If temperatures reach 38.5C it could even be the hottest August day on record, although this is considered unlikely. The highest temperature of the year was previously recorded at 38C in Lingwood, Norfolk, on June 28.
Wildfires and Drought Conditions
The current heatwave has exacerbated existing wildfire risks, with England and Wales already experiencing as many wildfires this year as in the entire previous year. According to data from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) there have been 1,017 wildfires recorded in England and Wales this year, matching last year’s record-breaking total.
Crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service have been battling a significant blaze in the New Forest, which started after a van caught fire on the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday. The fire service expects to be at the scene for at least another three to four days. Most major UK supermarkets have stopped sales of disposable barbecues in recent weeks, following voluntary guidance from the NFCC.
Prime Minister Burnham has urged all shops to stop selling disposable barbecues and indicated that an outright ban could be considered in future summers. He also highlighted the significant number of excess deaths from heat this summer and urged the public to follow health advice, including checking in on elderly friends and relatives.
Travel Disruptions and Health Concerns
Two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June led to more than 2,800 excess deaths. The Royal College of Nursing has reported that nurses are collapsing at work and are being forced to care for patients in temperatures exceeding 30C. Others have reported seizures and extreme sweating, with hospitals described as unbearably hot and not fit for humans.
Nearly three-quarters of England and the whole of Wales are in drought, putting pressure on water resources for households, agriculture, and the environment. Baroness Brown, who chairs the independent advisory Climate Change Committee’s adaptation work, warned that the situation will continue to worsen until greenhouse gas emissions are cut to zero.
Rail operators, including Chiltern Railways and East Midlands Railway, have issued alerts advising passengers to only travel if essential. Other operators will either run a reduced timetable or are warning about the potential for short-notice cancellations.
