Extreme temperatures in Britain during the third heatwave of the year have broken records once again, with the most 34C days in a year as warm weather continues into next week.
Amber heat health alerts have been extended to the north of England, with soaring temperatures reaching 35C yesterday during the peak of this month’s heatwave.
With London, the Midlands and much of Southern England already under heat health alerts for most of the month so far, the alerts now cover almost all of England, impacting health services and causing travel disruption – expected to continue until Sunday.
Commuters faced cancellations and delays to rail services yesterday, while NHS England warned many of its ambulance services were facing “sustained pressure” under the circumstances.
Thursday’s high of 35.5C, recorded in Surrey, became the record-breaking eighth day this year to see temperatures reach or exceed 34C – beating the previous seven day record seen in 1976 and 2020.
Temperatures are forecast to remain at or above 34C today, with typically cooler areas in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to expect continued temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s.
Amber alerts for North West England and Yorkshire were issued, with risks likely for vulnerable people as heat and humidity climb.
Meanwhile, a yellow alert – indicating that significant impact is possible – covers the North East, as temperatures begin to move up the country.
South East England remains the hottest region, experiencing five straight days at or above 30C.
Scientists have warned weather events have been made more likely and more intense by climate change and that UK and European summers will keep getting warmer on average as carbon emissions continue to heat up the planet.
The number of days exceeding 30C in the UK more than trebled between 2015 and 2024 compared with the 1961-1990 average, according to the Met Office.
The maximum temperature recorded each year has also shot up, and where it was rare to reach 35C last century, six of the past 10 years have seen temperatures surpass that mark.
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In light of the heat, a National Fire Chiefs Council spokesman stressed it can only take one spark to start a wildfire in these temperatures, and what can begin as a small fire can spread fast – “putting people, homes, wildlife and our countryside at risk”.
“We’re asking everyone to take extra care outdoors, whether that’s avoiding disposable barbecues in the countryside, parks or moorlands, or making sure cigarettes are fully extinguished,” the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, Ross Macleod, RNLI water safety manager, equally warned the sea remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which can cause “uncontrollable gasping, increased heart rate, and can lead to panic and drowning very quickly”.
“It’s best to enter the water slowly to gradually acclimatise,” he added.
“Anyone who finds themselves in danger in the water should fight the panic instinct and float to live – try to relax and float on their back, with head tilted back, gently moving their hands and legs to help them stay afloat.”
NHS England has also said many of its ambulance services will be under “sustained pressure” due to the extreme heat this week.
Professor Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, said people, especially children, the elderly and those with existing health conditions, should “take the weather seriously”, while others should also look out for anyone who may be vulnerable.
She added: “The extreme heat means that many of our ambulance services are under sustained pressure, but as always, patients should always call 999 in a life-threatening emergency or 111 if less urgent.”
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