Already today, record-breaking temperatures are wreaking havoc across the country as trains come to an abrupt halt and thousands have to commute unbearably muggy mornings.
But the scorching temperatures have also led to a range of other, more unusual outcomes, from a beach being closed because the sand is too hot, to school detention and farmers smearing sunscreen on their prized hogs.
Prison sentences were canceled at one school, while the discount chain Aldi has started rationing bottled water at a supermarket in the south London – for customers who are limited to one bottle of still or sparkling wine per person.
That met office has warned temperatures could rise even further to 43C (109F) tomorrow. Temperatures had already reached 32C (90F) at 11am today in Cambridge and west London.
Pigs get sunscreen and wet towels at the Royal Welsh Show – while horses are offered bottled water
Pigs are rubbed with sunscreen to protect them at one of Britain’s biggest country shows.
Farmers use the sunscreen to protect the animals’ sensitive skin in the sweltering heat at the Royal Welsh Show.
Award-winning pig farmer Ela Mair will wrap her six contestants – including five purebred Welsh pigs – in cold, wet towels to keep them cool.
Joel Orman sprays SPF 50 sunscreen on British Lop pigs at the Royal Welsh Show
A police officer offers a bottle of water to a police horse named Zack in hot weather at Whitehall in London
“Pigs don’t shed heat as well as other animals so it’s difficult to keep them cool,” said Ela, 45, from Pwllheli in Gwynedd.
“We put cold, wet towels on top, but we have to be careful that the heat doesn’t dry the towels too quickly so they can be reheated.
“So we’re going to keep them in the shade as much as possible and keep the fans on top of them as much as possible.”
More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the four-day Royal Welsh Show – one of Europe’s largest agricultural events – and organizers have been urged by public health officials to prepare for the extreme heat.
Royal Welsh chief veterinarian Dafydd Jones admitted the prognosis for the show near Builth Wells in Powys was “worrying”.
“Animals suffer from extreme heat like humans – if not worse – and with so many animals out there, it’s very worrying that it will be difficult for animals to cope with the heat,” he said.
Organizers have spent more than £50,000 on additional fans and ventilation in cattle sheds to keep the approximately 8,000 animals as cool as possible, whilst extra water will be available.
Meanwhile, at Whitehall in London, Zack the horse was offered a bottle of water by his caring police officer.
‘Beach’ is closing because the sand will be ‘too hot for children’
A beach is closing today because the sand will be “too hot for children to play”.
Officials have decided to close the attraction at Leicester’s Humberstone Gate shopping center for two days. Rides are also closed.
The city’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “With these extreme temperatures, the sand on our beach would be far too hot for children to play in.
Officials have decided to close the artificial beach at Leicester’s Humberstone Gate shopping center for two days
“There is also a risk that the generators in the rides will overheat.
“In the interest of the well-being of our customers and the safety of our employees, we have decided to close these attractions on Monday and Tuesday.
“While this extreme weather continues we would advise people to seek shade – and weather permitting we hope to reopen the town beach and amusement park on Wednesday.”
A local – named Mark – said: “Blimey. Red Alert sounds serious. Are you wondering if real beaches will be closed too?’
The supermarket limits water to one bottle of sparkling or still per person
This sign warning shoppers was spotted at the Streatham store in south London over the weekend
Aldi is rationing water, limiting customers to one type of bottled water per person.
A sign warning shoppers was spotted at the Streatham store in south London over the weekend.
It said: ‘Maximum 1x type of water per person.’
Searing summer temperatures have already caused disruption to UK retailers.
At B&M, a video showed candy bars melting on shelves.
And shoppers have been asked to ensure they wear t-shirts and tops as they head to the supermarket and pub.
Meanwhile, Iceland invited customers to relax in its freezer aisles amid the heatwave.
Aldi was contacted for comment.
Saved from the heatwave! Secondary school detention CANCELED
Because of the heatwave, schools are canceling detentions and sports days.
Northwood Community Primary School in Kirkby, Merseyside, said Monday’s sports day had been canceled although “children can still go to school in their sports kits until the end of the school year”.
And King Charles I School, a secondary school in Worcestershire, canceled all on-site detentions on Monday and Tuesday.
“Please note that detentions at Borrington and Hillgrove campuses will be lifted today and tomorrow,” the school tweeted.
The school was originally founded in 1566 and is the only one in England to bear the name of the executed king.
King Charles I School, a secondary school in Worcestershire, canceled all on-site detentions on Monday and Tuesday
