The rare red warning for extreme heat in the UK has been extended into Friday, as parts of the country brace for more record-breaking temperatures. The warning, issued by the Met Office, will now last until 9pm on Friday for London and parts of southeast England, leaving many asking: when will it end?
Record Temperatures and Nighttime Heat
On Wednesday, the June temperature record, held since the summer of 1976, was smashed as provisional figures suggest it reached 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire. Temperatures remain exceptionally warm at night, making it hard for people to sleep and recover from the day’s heat. Today and tomorrow, most of the UK will see sunshine with low clouds and lingering hot, humid air.
Forecast: Gradual Cooldown
Beginning tomorrow, temperatures will drop slightly but remain in the low 30s, before finally dipping further on Sunday and Monday. The Met Office stated: 'Thursday will see the peak of the heat for many, though those further east will retain extreme heat on Friday and Saturday and could continue to see further impacts, which has resulted in Amber warnings. The far southeast will retain the warmth the longest, though there should be a climb-down in figures by Saturday, with peaks around 32C likely. Next week is likely to see a change to more of a westerly influence on the UK’s weather, with a return to more average temperatures for the time of year and a mixture of winds and rain, particularly for those in the North West.'
Long-Range Forecast
The Met Office has issued a long-range forecast for June 29 to July 8, which will see periods of rain and showers with thunderstorms at times. 'The best of the drier and brighter weather initially will be across the southeast. Then perhaps a drier start to July for many, although the northwest may still see some rain at times, and perhaps accompanied by some strong winds,' they wrote. 'Temperatures remain widely above average, and there remains a chance of some very warm or hot weather returning, mainly across the south.'
Calls for Better Preparedness
The latest heatwave has prompted renewed calls for the UK to be better prepared for the rising risk of extreme heat that a changing climate is bringing, including cooling for hospitals, schools and care homes, heat regulations for workplaces, and to prepare infrastructure against rising temperatures. The Royal College of Physicians said doctors have described severe, unsustainable pressure on the workforce, with very few settings having air conditioning, staff 'really struggling' and resident doctors battling the heat while sleep-deprived. One physician warned 'conditions are awful' due to overcrowding, another said two machines used to treat cancer had stopped amid the heatwave, and there had been reports of patients on geriatric wards – one of the groups most vulnerable to heat – facing temperatures of up to 35C.
Workplace Measures
Almost one in five employers have no measures to help workers cope with the heat, according to the Chartered Management Institute, with an uneven response to the heatwave. Its survey of 1,000 managers found a third said their company had relaxed dress codes, while a quarter said flexible working hours were being offered, and a minority reported other measures such as free refreshments, additional breaks and reduced workloads.
