Britain’s Met Office has issued its first red alert of extreme temperatures for parts of England on Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to reach record levels, prompting a national emergency alert level.
Most of Europe is experiencing a heat wave that has brought temperatures to around 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, with forest fires ravaging Portugal, Spain, France and Croatia on Thursday (14).
The highest temperature ever recorded in the UK was 38.7°C at Cambridge University Botanic Gardens on 25 July 2019. The Met Office said it was now expecting temperatures of 40°C for the first time in the UK.
“Exceptional, perhaps record, temperatures are likely to occur early next week,” Met Office chief meteorologist Poul Gundersen said, predicting a 50% impact on temperatures above 40C and an 80% chance of a new extreme temperature.
“Exceptionally warm nights are expected, especially in urban areas,” he said in a statement. “This is likely to lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure.”
At the same time, the UK’s Health Security Agency has raised the heat health alert level for England to Level 4 for next week, which is used when a heat wave is so intense or prolonged that its effects extend far beyond the health system and social assistance.
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