
Met Office urges Brits to do single thing when walking in 34C heat
Brits are set to swelter in temperatures as high as 34C over the next 48 hours with crucial advice issued to anyone having to venture outside
Temperatures are due to skyrocket within hours rendering many homes, streets, and public transport areas extremely hot during the working day.
The Met Office has pre-warned Brits that thermometers, especially in the far east and south east of England are set to record balmy 34C highs, with temperatures only dropping off slightly nearer coastlines.
Today (Monday, June 30) is set to be the peak of the sweltering heat, but forecasts suggest Tuesday will also be boiling for many. Weather maps indicate 28C in central England while inland parts of Kent and Sussex could see 32C highs.
Among telling people to steer clear of the sun's vicious UV rays during peak hours of 11am to 3pm, people have also been urged to keep windows and curtains shut where the sun beams in. This stops rooms from heating up and helps control the temperature.
But for many people who are commuting into and out of work, and going about their daily business, the Met Office urges the following: "Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat."
This is especially important for people walking around in cities, and for anyone who has to work outside. The nation is also also encouraged to carry with them a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
"Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day and make sure you take water with you, if you are travelling," the Met Office says.
Despite advice on what to do if you're out and about in the heatwave, people have also been told to check in on vulnerable and elderly relatives and neighbours to ensure they are coping.
The forecaster added: "Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated. Older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk.
"If you live alone, ask a relative or friend to phone to check that you are not having difficulties during periods of extreme heat."
Amber heat health alerts extended
As a result, seven UK regions have had their amber heat health alerts extended by the Met Office and the UKHSA. They include Yorkshire & Humber, east and west Midlands, the east of England, the west of England, London and the south-east.
The heat health alerts, issued to alert people to the adverse risks of hot weather, including the vulnerable and those aged over 65, are due to expire on July 2.
The north west is under a yellow, less significant alert, while the north east doesn't currently have any alerts active.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal alert for UK tourists
Local authorities have issued fresh warnings as temperatures have pushed past 40C in countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece - and the heatwave is set to continue Brits heading to southern Europe are being alerted as major heatwaves with temperatures above 40C soar in countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece. Local authorities have issued fresh warnings about the risk of wildfires. Experts are attributing the increasing frequency and intensity of these heatwaves to climate change. They warn such extreme weather events are becoming more common across southern Europe. Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal experienced severe heat before the weekend, forcing locals and tourists to seek shelter from the sweltering conditions. Two-thirds of Portugal was on high alert on Sunday due to extreme heat and wildfires, with temperatures in Lisbon expected to exceed 42C. In Italy, several regions including Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria, were considering banning some outdoor work activities during the day's hottest hours in response to the record-breaking temperatures. Italian trade unions urged the government to implement such measures nationwide. On Sunday, the Italian health ministry issued its highest heat alert for 21 out of 27 monitored cities, including popular holiday destinations like Rome, Milan and Naples, reports Bristol Live. Tourists in Rome sought shade near famous landmarks like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, using umbrellas and drinking from public water fountains to keep cool. Similar scenes were observed in Milan and Naples, where street vendors sold lemonade to tourists and residents as a respite from the heat. Greece is once again on high alert for wildfires due to extreme weather, with the first summer heat wave expected to persist over the weekend. A significant wildfire erupted south of Athens on Thursday, prompting evacuations and road closures near the ancient Temple of Poseidon. Strong winds fanned the flames, causing damage to homes and filling the sky with smoke. Experts have warned that intense heat can disrupt daily life, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children. Local authorities have advised against physical activity during the peak heat of the day and recommended staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. A study published last year in The Lancet Public Health emphasised the growing risk of heat-related deaths due to climate change. The research predicted that under current climate policies, heat-related deaths could increase more than fourfold by the middle of the century. While more people currently die from cold than heat, the study highlighted that rising temperatures will counteract the benefits of milder winters, leading to a significant net increase in heat-related mortality.


Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Weather: What is a 'heat dome' - and how long is it set to affect the UK?
Most of Europe is right now baking in a so-called "heat dome" - conditions a bit like a pizza oven, which are scorching Spain, France, Italy, Greece and beyond. Meanwhile, temperatures in the UK could soar to a rare 34C (93.2F) today - meaning it could be hotter than Mexico, Barbados and Jamaica. So, what's going on with our weather? What is a heat dome? A heat dome forms when an area of high pressure lingers over a region for days or weeks. This pressure traps hot air - like the dome of a pizza oven or a lid on a saucepan - and bakes the air and land beneath. As the ground parches, it absorbs heat - making conditions hotter still. The dome of high pressure also blocks out clouds and cooler air, resulting in clear skies and persistent heat. What effect is the heat dome having on the UK? The current heat dome is hovering across most of Europe, while the UK sits just on the cusp of it. That means the same high pressure bringing plus 40C (104F) temperatures to southern Europe is also roasting southern and eastern England on Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures could soar to 34C (93.2F) in London and the southeast today - a "relatively rare event, with just a handful of days [of 34C] since the 1960s", according to Met Office scientist Dr Amy Doherty. And these regions are due to sweat through a "tropical night" on Monday evening - when temperatures do not drop below 20C (68F), making it much harder to sleep. This heat will be pushed away to the southeast on Tuesday night, as a cold front moves through southeastern England. Northern and western Britain sit outside the area of high pressure, hence conditions there are cooler and wetter. 1:55 Are heat domes becoming more common? The (scientific) jury is still out, says climate scientist Dr Michael Byrne, from the University of St Andrews. "Some research suggests heat domes will become more common as climate warms, with more frequent heatwaves as a result" but there is no scientific consensus yet, he says. "But what is crystal clear is that climate change is loading the dice such that when a heat dome does occur, it brings hotter and more dangerous temperatures," he adds. 1:56 The 'game-changer' While heat domes are nothing new, their more intense impacts are. Europe is already more than 2C warmer than in pre-industrial times, and the fastest warming continent in the world, making every heatwave and heat dome hotter than they would have been. That's because greenhouse gases released from burning fossil fuels are trapping more heat in the Earth's atmosphere, raising the average temperatures. Dr Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science from Imperial College London, says: "Countless studies have shown that climate change is an absolute game-changer when it comes to heat in Europe, making heatwaves much more frequent, especially the hottest ones - and more intense." Prof James Dyke, an expert in climate science from Exeter University, adds: "The only way to avoid even more extreme heat is to rapidly phase out fossil fuels." But we must also adapt to the hotter world, experts say, which means making sure people and buildings can keep cool to avoid the dangerous side effects. Baroness Brown, from the Climate Change Committee (CCC), told Sky News in April: "It still seems to feel like it's tomorrow's problem… and if we don't tackle it today, it becomes tomorrow's disaster." 1:56 The 'silent killer' and the side effects Scientists call heatwaves the "silent killer" because they drive significant excess deaths, particularly in those who are already vulnerable. They are also dangerous for small children - whose small bodies heat up faster - and pregnant women, and risk premature births. The side effects hit not just our health but land and buildings too. Heat fuels the conditions for wildfires, and can cause crops, railways, and power lines to fail. Dr Madeleine Thomson, from the Wellcome Trust, which supports health research, says we need a longer-term approach to coping with longer and hotter heat. "The strategy of reacting to each crisis is failing, and the science tells us it will get worse," she says. ""We need to shift to proactive, rapid and coordinated action to mitigate and adapt to climate change. "The tools exist. The evidence is clear. What's missing is the urgency. We must act and we must act now."


Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
One key reason Brits urged not to drink coffee today
Coffee is a popular drink among office workers and gym-goers but you might want to avoid the cappuccino today As a new week gets underway, heatwave-like conditions are expected to ravage some parts of the UK, with the mercury set to approach near record highs for June, particularly down south. Temperatures in southern England are forecasted to reach a blistering 34C today, Monday, June 30, potentially making it the hottest day of the year so far. Amber heat alerts remain in effect until Tuesday night for all of southern, western and eastern England, with warnings of increased mortality rates, particularly among over 65s. Typically, Scotland is expected to experience a "marked difference" in weather from our neighbours on the other side of the border, with heavy downpours plaguing western regions and temperatures suppressed to the mid to high teens. Humidity will still be an issue though, and whether temperatures skyrocket during the day or not, some locations will still not drop below 20C as night falls, meaning a good night's kip may prove difficult for a lot of Scots. Those struggling to get a decent sleep tonight might be inclined to grab a caffeine boost tomorrow, but this could actually make you feel even worse. On what could be the hottest day of the year, Brits are being advised to avoid coffee as caffeine can make you feel hot and jittery in the heat, impacting your productivity. Consuming caffeine during a heatwave can worsen dehydration due to its diuretic effect. Caffeine can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, which could be harmful in hot conditions. The drink can also interfere with temperature regulation, potentially increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Instead, Brits should swap their coffee for a refreshing smoothie or a glass of water. Coconut water is one of the top beverages to consume during a heatwave, owing to its high potassium and electrolyte content. Amidst a heatwave, this refreshing drink provides some respite as it restores the body's depleted fluids and contains a variety of vital vitamins and minerals that enhance your immune system. Matthew, Lenhert, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, reinforced the message that "overnight temperatures will remain high, with some places not dropping below 20C in what is called a tropical night." "This will make it hard to sleep and prevent any recovery from the high daytime temperatures, too," he added. Where Scotland is concerned, Tuesday, July 1 ushers in more welcome news, as the rain should be mostly out the way, allowing some sunshine to greet us first thing. The Borders and Aberdeenshire will be on the receiving end of one or two showers, while the Highlands and Western Isles will enjoy a sunny day. Between light winds and a fresher mercury of 16-19C, it will feel fairly pleasant. The east will breathe a sigh of a relief at predicted temperatures of 17-18C, compared to last week's 25C. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.