UK risks more extreme, prolonged heatwaves in future: study
The UK could experience more frequent extreme and prolonged heat due to climate change, its meteorological office said Wednesday, as the country braced for its first heatwave of the year.
Met Office scientists said the island nation will see the "increased likelihood of extreme temperatures" over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
The new study also "highlights how UK heatwaves could become longer and hotter due to escalating climate trends", the Met Office added.
According to the research, in the current climate, heatwaves in the UK could persist for "a month or more".
The UK, which is known for its frequent showers and mild summers, recorded its first temperature above 40 degrees in 2022.
"The chance of exceeding 40 degrees C has been rapidly increasing, and it is now over 20 times more likely than it was in the 1960s," said Gillian Kay, senior scientist at the Met Office.
"Because our climate continues to warm, we can expect the chance to keep rising," said Kay, adding there was a 50-percent chance of seeing a 40-degree day in the next 12 years.
Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of global extreme weather events will increase as the planet continues to heat up because of fossil fuel emissions.
On Monday, the Met office said a heatwave was "likely" in much of the UK this week, with the highest temperatures expected to exceed 30 degrees.
"These findings highlight the need to prepare and plan for the impacts of rising temperatures now," said co-author Nick Dunstone.
The UK this year experienced its warmest spring on record.
It also had the driest spring in over 50 years, with farmers facing damaged crop growth and the government warning about "exceptionally low" water reservoir levels.
In May, the Environment Agency's deputy water director Richard Thompson warned that "changing climate means we will see more summer droughts in the coming decades".
aks/jkb/jhb
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
One business in Philadelphia is getting ready for the anticipated heat wave across the Delaware Valley
The Philadelphia area is days away from a heat wave. Temperatures could soar into the triple digits. While the heat wave is set to start over the weekend, a Fairmount business is getting ready now. "We got 12-inch high-voltage fans. We got the regular circular standup fans," Steven Emerson, an assistant general manager in training at ACE Hardware on Fairmount, explained. From fans to air conditioners, the shelves are full at the hardware store. Emerson said Wednesday is truck day, and the store is stocking up with the heat wave in mind. They are expecting an influx of customers over the next few days and to sell out of some of these items by the weekend. "(The store will be) busy because of the weather. I'm expecting a huge sell in air conditioners and cooling equipment," Emerson said. He continued, "We had to double up on the fans because we ran out two weeks in a row." That was before summer officially began. Emerson's advice to customers: Come early before the temperatures soar.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Maps show heat wave forecast across U.S. Here's what to know.
A heat wave is forecast across the eastern United States, and it's expected to bring severe storms and several days of record high temperatures at the start of the weekend and into next week. As a low-pressure system slowly shifts from the West, the Ohio Valley and the Midwest down into the lower Mississippi Valley face the threat of tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds, according to CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan. As the system moves eastward, showers and storms are also on deck for parts of the Northeast through Thursday. Behind the system are warm and above-average temperatures, or what the National Weather Service called "the first significant heat wave this season." Temperatures are expected to soar more than 25-35 degrees above average in the Plains on Friday, Nolan said. Potential daily record highs are also forecast for parts of the Rockies and Plains on Friday and Saturday. CBS News' temperature outlook across the U.S. this week. CBS News Here's what to know about the upcoming heat wave. Heat wave forecast maps "Summer has taken its time arriving in the Northeast, but it's coming in HOT," the National Weather Service wrote Wednesday in a social media post. "Triple-digit heat indices will be common through next week, with oppressive humidity." The heat index is what the actual temperature feels like when it's combined with relative humidity. These maps show daily highs across the country and their departures from average temperatures. Thursday's high temperatures across the U.S. CBS News Friday's high temperatures across the U.S. CBS News Saturday's high temperatures across the U.S. CBS News Sunday's high temperatures across the U.S. CBS News Monday's high temperatures across the U.S. CBS News Tuesday's high temperatures across the U.S. CBS News How long will the heat wave last? The heat is expected to shift into the Midwest and Ohio Valley by the end of the weekend and arrive in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic on Sunday through the first half of next week. Parts of the Northeast face a "High Risk" — a greater than 60% chance — of extreme heat through the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service. What constitutes a heat wave? A heat wave is a period of unusually hot weather that lasts more than two days, according to the National Weather Service. It often, but not always, covers a large area and exposes a large number of the population to hazardous heat, which can be extremely dangerous for vulnerable people, including children and the elderly. How to stay safe during a heat wave The simplest way to way to avoid heat-related illnesses is to stay out of the sun, experts say. If strenuous outdoor activities are unavoidable, you should dress for the heat and wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing, the National Weather Service recommended. You should also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, even if you're not thirsty. It's also important to be aware of any symptoms of overheating, which include muscle cramps, unusually heavy sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, weakness or nausea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you experience these symptoms, one major sign to seek care is if the symptoms don't improve after getting into a cooler environment or hydrating, experts say. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dangerous Midwest, Northeast Heat Wave Will Bring Hottest Weather Of Year So Far, Including Chicago, New York
An expansive, dangerous heat wave will spread through the central U.S. as summer officially arrives late this week and then into the East, bringing the hottest temperatures of the year and uncomfortably muggy air to the Midwest and Northeast that could last into much of next week. Here are the main takeaways from the forecast: Here's when we expect the worst of the heat: - Plains: Beginning Thursday and lasting until Monday - Mississippi Valley: Beginning Friday and lasting until Tuesday - Rest of Midwest: Beginning Friday, peaking this weekend, then relief arrives in the Upper Midwest early next week - Northeast: Thursday will be hot, then a brief break on Friday before the heat wave begins this weekend. Dozens of record highs are possible as the heat peaks early next week. Modest relief may arrive by the middle of next week. (MAPS: 10-Day Forecast US Highs/Lows) - In general, we're forecasting highs in the 90s to spread over much of the country east of the Rockies, except for the far northern tier. - Dozens of locations, especially in the Northeast, will be within striking distance of daily record highs early next week. - A few locations could approach or top 100 degrees during the heat wave, including Denver by Friday, which only happens twice a year on average. New York City and Philadelphia could also flirt with the century mark during the peak of the heat wave next week. - New York's Central Park hasn't reached 100 degrees since July 18, 2012, according to the National Weather Service. Philadelphia hasn't reached 100 degrees in June since 1994. - More oppressive humidity will accompany the heat wave. - This will particularly be the case in the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, but also into the upper Mississippi Valley, Great Lakes and at least parts of the mid-Atlantic and interior Northeast. - That means the heat index, or feels-like temperature, will be in the triple digits on one or more days for some cities in the Midwest and Northeast this weekend into early next week. (MORE: Why The Dew Point Temperature Matters) - Heat is the number one weather killer in the U.S., with hundreds of fatalities each year. - The combination of heat and humidity lingering into the night for several days in a row could be dangerous for those without access to air conditioning, especially in the cores of larger cities. - Check on family, friends, the elderly and those with chronic illness who live without access to air conditioning. - If possible, avoid being outdoors for long in the peak heat of the afternoon. - If not, take frequent breaks, avoid strenuous activity, drink more water than usual and wear loose, lightweight clothing. - Heads up: The warnings for dangerous conditions are changing this summer. The National Weather Service has upgraded its language to improve messaging. Heat alerts will now be called "extreme heat" watches and warnings. You can find more about those changes here. Regardless of what they're called, these alerts indicate that heat illnesses are expected to spike when they are in effect. (MORE: How To Cool Your Home Without A/C | Heat Advice From An ER Doctor) - This heat wave will be triggered by a change in the jet stream pattern. - Specifically a strong bubble of high pressure aloft known as a heat dome will develop over the eastern U.S. - Sinking air near the center of this heat dome suppresses clouds, allowing the intense sunshine this time of year to heat the ground and air above it most efficiently. - Southerly and southwesterly winds will also tap hot and humid air from the South into the Midwest and Northeast. Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
