Britons are bracing themselves for scorching heat with an amber warning of heat coming into effect today, just before the first red alert for extreme heat tomorrow.
‘Furnace Britain’ will be hotter than Delhi and the Sahara Desert on Monday with experts predicting the mercury could reach 41C – double the UK summer average.
Yesterday, Ministers held a Cobra meeting to discuss the health effects of the heatwave after a national emergency was declared – but warned schools not to close.
This is the UK’s first warning of extreme red heat as temperatures rise to 40C, the highest temperature recorded. According to meteorologists, there is a 80 percent chance that mercury will surpass the UK record of 38.7C set in Cambridge in 2019.
According to the same meteorologists, there is a 50% chance that Britain’s 40C barrier will be broken on Monday or Tuesday.
Fears that thousands of people could be killed have led to an increase in ambulance capacity and 111-call handlers by the health system.
Salford Quays was evacuated last night after a body was found in the water. Brits are now turning to swimming as a way to escape the heat.
Penny Endersby, Chief Executive of Met Office said that ‘Here in Britain we’re used to looking at a hot spell like a chance for us to play and enjoy the sun. It isn’t like that.
Pictured: Bournemouth Beach was packed yesterday, as the weather improves every day and temperatures soar this weekend
Ringo, an 8-year-old miniature Schnauzer (left), cools himself in Emsworth’s swimming pool. George (8 months) contemplates whether or not to get in on the action.
Steve Barclay from the Health Ministry urged everyone to care for those in need and encouraged people to use water, shade, and cover as a way to help them.
Kit Malthouse was the Cobra Minister after he presided over the meeting. She warned of disruptions to transportation at the beginning of the week, and encouraged people not to travel in excess.
He explained that heat can affect railways and train speeds, so they must run at a slower pace. You may see fewer services. It is important to remain alert for any disruptions.
“If the travel is not necessary, it may be possible to work remotely.”
Last week’s research showed that workers were trying to get the best out of their air conditioners at work. Offices are running at 42% capacity, which is the highest since March 2020.
As a result, some schools are opening their summer holidays earlier than usual due to heat. But contrary to what teaching unions suggest that many schools might need to be closed down, government sources have told The Mail Sunday that yesterday’s Cobra meeting affirmed that young children could be put at risk if not properly supervised.
Meteorologists warned that Tuesday’s temperatures will reach 40C or higher. They are most likely in the A1 corridor. It runs from London through Scotland, passing through counties like Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
The UK would be hotter than 35C predicted in Tamanrasset (Sahara) and 37C in New Delhi (India). A steamy 30C – 15C above average – is due at 1am tomorrow night in London. In August 1990, Brighton set a new night-time record of 23.9C.
Public safety officials have reminded people to dispose of disposable BBQs, charcoal or cigarettes safely and to avoid burning garden waste.
With wildfires in Spain, western France, and other parts of Western Europe continuing to set records for temperatures.
France’s heatwave will reach its peak on Monday as temperatures rise above 40C (104F).
According to Spanish health officials, 360 deaths have been linked to heat exposure due in part because of unusually high temperatures (45C).
Place ice on your desk fan. Turn off your oven. And keep your pillows in the freezer. These are just three budget-friendly tips that will help you get through this heatwave.
Sarah Davidson, Mail on Sunday
It temperature is rising, but that doesn’t mean your bills have to. You don’t need expensive gadgets and energy-guzzling air-conditioning units to get through the heatwave. Here are our nine ways to stay cool – and save money.
1. Turn your desk fan in to an air-con unit
Although air-conditioning is the most efficient way to cool your room, they are also expensive to purchase and maintain. You can pick up a decent desk fan for under £20 but the cheapest air-conditioners start at about £250. A desk fan consumes about one percent of electricity that air conditioners use. You can make your fan behave more like an air conditioner by making some adjustments.
When the outside temperature starts to drop, and it is cooler inside than out, you can point your fan towards an opening window. That’s a more efficient way of cooling your room.
Get the Refill App on your phone and install it before you leave. This app will display the closest public water fountains in the UK and the places where you can fill up your water bottles for no cost.
Another option is to place a bowl of frozen ice directly in front of the fan. Julian House, at the discount website myvouchercodes, explains: ‘The air passes over the bowl, circulating cooler air.’ He adds that using a metal bowl could help keep the ice frozen for longer.
2: Place towels outdoors
The heat can be blocked by closing the curtains during the day. Even with all the curtains shut, 90% of the heat can still get through the windows.
Even more efficient is to keep the sun out of your windows.
Shutters can be very effective. However, for an easy and cheap alternative to shutters, hang white towels or sheets out of your south-facing windows.
3. Place your pillowcases in the freezer
You can cool yourself down by putting your pillow cases, pyjamas or sheets in freezer bags. A hot-water bottle could be used to freeze the contents.
To cool down after applying sunscreen and moisturisers, keep them in your fridge.
‘Why not put some aloe vera in the fridge as well and get double the cooling? It’s also great for dealing with sunburn,’ adds House.
Your body’s pulse points are located in your ankles, wrists, and feet. So keeping them cool can help you keep it down.
4. Dip your feet into cold water
Keep your temperature down by keeping the pulse points of your wrists, ankles and feet cool.
If you are tempted to stand under a cold shower, you may find that putting your feet in a bowl of cold water is sufficient to cool off – and helps to keep your water bills down if you have a meter.
5. Turn off appliances in standby
Appliances on standby such as TVs or PC monitors can generate a surprising amount heat. Switching them off can help avoid adding heat to already sweltering rooms – and cut your energy bills.
Incandescent bulbs can lose as much as 90% of their energy in waste heat. Reduce your heat and bill by switching to LED lights.
The fridge’s back should be kept clean, and no more than 10cm away from your wall. Dust and dirt can make fridges less efficient. They also have to work harder when they are wedged against a wall – give them space for air to circulate.
The heat generated by appliances that are on standby like TVs and monitors is quite surprising. Switching them off can help avoid adding heat to already sweltering rooms – and cut your energy bills
6. Only drive the car A/C when you are on faster roads
According to the American Automobile Association, your vehicle’s internal temperature can rise as high as 60C over the following days. It’s important to stay cool when you are on the road. Using your car’s air-conditioning increases its fuel consumption by about ten per cent, says the AA. But, it isn’t always a cheap alternative to opening your windows. It can cause drag which in turn increases fuel consumption. The decision of which option you choose is difficult.
As a rule of thumb, if you are driving slowly – less than about 45mph – open windows is cheaper. But, if you’re driving on the motorway, air-conditioning is more effective. Air-conditioning can be less effective on shorter journeys than it is for longer ones. This is because the conditioner has to do more than simply keep the car cool.
A spokesman for the AA adds: ‘If you return to a hot car, it’s best to open all the windows when you first drive off to clear the hot air before closing them and turning the air-con on. That way, the air-con won’t have to work so hard and you’ll cool the interior more quickly.’
7: Fill up your water bottles for free
Before you go out, download the Refill app for your smartphone. This app will display the closest public water fountains in the UK and the places where you can fill up your water bottles for no cost.
Grogs, Morrisons and Costa Coffee are just a few of the major high-atreet brands that have signed up for free water and hundreds more properties from National Trust and English Heritage. Refill.org.uk
8. Fill your refrigerator with water bottles
Because refrigerated food keeps the fridge cool, it is more efficient for refrigerators to work efficiently.
You don’t need to buy extra groceries – just fill up spaces with bottles of water. That way you’re also stocked up with cold drinks to cool down throughout the day.
However, don’t fill your fridge so much that you can’t easily see what is in it. Otherwise you’ll lose cool air while you’re rooting through to find things. Ideal is 75 percent. Also, make sure that the freezer and fridge doors remain sealed. Hot air can quickly get into the refrigerator and cause it to work harder for cool.
According to the American Automobile Association, your vehicle’s inside temperature can rise as high as 60C over the following days. It is important to keep cool while on the move
9: Get rid of the oven
Although it sounds obvious, you should keep your oven on during this time and instead use the microwave or barbecue to cook cold foods like salads. A microwave, or barbecue can be used to heat up the home while you are cooking. Microwaves are far more efficient than ovens in heating food, which will help you save money on your monthly household bills.
The high water content of salads can help you stay hydrated. Nutrition expert Penny Weston, who runs the Made Wellness Centre in Staffordshire, says: ‘As well as drinking plenty of water, make sure you eat foods such as cucumbers, which are 95 per cent water, tomatoes, watercress – where the clue is in the name – and apples, which are 85 per cent water.’
Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics, adds: ‘Keep meals light as heavy meals will only keep you awake and stop you from getting a good night’s sleep when it’s hot.’