The Met Office has issued its first extreme heat weather warning, covering much of England, warning of an “extraordinary spell of heat on Monday and Tuesday resulting in widespread impacts on people and infrastructure”.
It warned that the extreme heat could lead to a “potentially very serious situation”.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: “We have just issued a red extreme heat warning for Monday and Tuesday, which is the first such warning ever issued.
Full coverage: UK weather – live
“The warning covers an area from London to Manchester and then to the Vale of York.
“This is potentially a very serious situation.”
Elsewhere, train passengers are being warned of major disruption from extreme heat on railway lines, as ministers said the NHS was braced for a “surge” in demand.
The Met Office red alert covers London and much of central England
(Met Office)
The Met Office is predicting “extraordinary, perhaps record-breaking, temperatures” on Monday, then again on Tuesday.
“Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm, particularly in urban areas. This is likely to result in widespread human and infrastructure impacts.
“Temperatures are expected to drop from Wednesday.”
The red warning category states that Britons should expect:
- Population-wide adverse health effects, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, resulting in serious illness or danger to life. Government advice states that 999 services should only be used in emergencies; Call 111 for non-emergency medical advice.
- Significant changes in work practices and daily routines will be required
- High risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, potentially leading to local loss of power and other essential services such as water or cellphone service
- Significantly more people are visiting coastal areas, lakes and rivers, resulting in an increased risk of water security incidents
- Delays on roads and road closures, along with delays and cancellations of rail and air travel, pose significant welfare problems for those who experience even moderate delays
Some schools in England have already announced that they will close on Monday.
