Latest news with #warm weather
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Climate
- Telegraph
Hundreds of trees die after Labour-led council ‘fails to water them'
A spokesman for the Labour-led authority told the BBC the tree deaths were caused by 'exceptionally dry and warm weather'. They said: 'The trees were planted earlier this year and were watered when they went in and whilst they were getting established. 'Sadly, despite our best endeavours throughout the season, because of the exceptionally dry and warm weather we have had this year, a higher than normal number of saplings have failed.' Clive Rickaby, a Merrybent resident, accused the council of 'tick box behaviour' and not caring about the long-term future of the trees. 'A complete waste of taxpayers' money' Speaking to the BBC, Mr Rickaby said: 'It is absolutely ridiculous, just a complete waste of taxpayers' money. 'If they don't have a big enough team to water them, then they should not plant them.' The council has committed to removing the dead trees and trying to replace them next planting season. The UK has just endured its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees last week, while there was only 2mm of rainfall overall in the week ending Aug 12. While the heatwave amplified current drought conditions, there has been no change to the Environment Agency's drought status this week. 'Prolonged dry weather' The government has classified the North East, where Darlington is, as in a period of 'prolonged dry weather'. Nearby regions of Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester have been classified as being in ' drought '. More than 8.5 million households are currently also affected by hosepipe bans. South East Water, Southern Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water have all issued hosepipe bans due to a lack of rain this summer, following the second driest spring on record for England and the sixth overall across the UK. There is currently no hosepipe ban in Darlington. It comes as experts have claimed that planting trees is a good way of keeping cities cool ahead of future heatwaves. Scientists believe that planting more trees could cut air temperatures by up to 5C. 'Increase tree coverage' Philip Jones, a professor from the Welsh School of Architecture, said temperature reductions from tree coverage were 'significant'. The UK climate change committee previously reported that heat-related deaths could rise from 3,000 in 2022 to more than 10,000 in an average year by 2050. Professor Jones said that to cool an area by 4-5C, 'we've got to increase the tree coverage to somewhere in the order of 30-40 per cent'. A Darlington Borough spokesman said: 'The trees were planted earlier this year and were watered when they went in and whilst they were getting established. 'Sadly, despite our best endeavours throughout the season, because of the exceptionally dry and warm weather we have had this year, a higher than normal number of saplings have failed. 'We will take out those that have died and will look at replacing them, where we can, in the next planting season.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Britain is on track for its sunniest and hottest year EVER, scientists reveal
It might feel like this summer's warm weather is never–ending. And you'd be correct – as this year is set to be the sunniest and consistently hottest ever, data suggests. Almost 1,200 hours of sunshine had been recorded by July this year, according to the Met Office. That puts the UK on track to beat the previous sunshine record of 1,587 hours, which was set in 2003. During that year – when temperatures soared to 38.5°C – sections of tarmac on the M25 melted, railway tracks buckled and the London Eye had to close because of the heat inside the pods. Brits have also enjoyed 250 hours more sunshine this year than the last 20–year average, according to The Times. It comes as the UK has just endured its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures continuing to remain high into this weekend. Today saw temperatures reach 30°C in London as firefighters grappled with a lack of resources amid the ongoing warm weather. Officials have said the country is suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortages as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six in dry weather status. Although the record temperature of 40.3°C – set in Coningsby, Lincolnshire in July 2022 – will unlikely be beaten, Britain is on track to record the consistently hottest year yet, the figures show. So far, there have been 79 days where temperatures have exceeded 20°C – the most ever recorded for this stage of the year. The last time it was this consistently warm was back in 1959, when there were 98 days that reached this threshold across the course of the year. That summer was of the most memorable in British history, characterised by long periods of warm, sunny weather and high temperatures. So far, the hottest day of this year was recorded on July 1 when temperatures reached 34.7°C in St James's Park in central London. This weekend should be dry and sunny for most parts of the UK, with the mercury forecast to hover around 30°C on Saturday and 29°C on Sunday in south–west England. The UK Health Security Agency said yellow heat warnings will remain in place for Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, London and the South East, South West and east of England until 6pm on August 18. An aerial photo showing low water levels at Broomhead Reservoir in South Yorkshire on August 12, 2025 Experts have warned that many river flows and reservoir levels continue to recede – despite some rainstorms and showers in July – and that August has started to see a return of drier conditions. This month also marks the six consecutive month of below–average rainfall, with the rivers Wye and Ely Ouse recording their lowest ever records for July. Hosepipe bans are still in place for all Yorkshire Water customers along with some customers of Thames Water, South East Water and Southern Water. Earlier this week Dr Will Lang, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'As we move into the second half of August, there are indications of high pressure building and therefore largely settled conditions overall. 'Although dry weather is more likely, rain, showers or thunderstorms cannot be ruled out.'
The Sun
12-08-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
I'm a GP – here's the 9 surprising signs your child is dangerously dehydrated and what you must do
WITH warm weather with us again, Brits will be trying to balance keeping cool with making the most of the sunshine. But doctors are urging parents to watch for signs of dehydration in their kids as temperatures rise. 4 4 After weeks of grey weather and showers, Brits are finally set to be treated to some more summer-y weather, according to the Met Office. Some areas will even experience balmy heats of 34C, as the mercury soars, said the forecaster. Temperatures are expected to be highest in central and southern England, particularly in London, but are expected to be up by at least a degree or two, right across the UK. GP and clinical consultant for Dr Sarah Jarvis told The Sun that dehydration is something that should concern all parents, whatever the age of their tots. But mums and dads should be "particularly careful" if their children are under one, she stressed - even more so if their baby is six months and younger, was born prematurely or had a low birth weight. Factors like tummy bugs - which are extremely common in young children, according to Dr Jarvis - and whether you've recently stopped breastfeeding your tot might make dehydration more likely, she went on. The GP listed the nine signs parents should watch out for indicating their children are dangerously dehydrated. 1. They're weeing less For kids still wearing nappies, you might notice they have fewer wet ones, Dr Jarvis said. She said less than four wet nappies a day could mean your baby is parched. For kids who are potty and toilet trained, parents should take not if they're going less frequently and their wee is "dark and strong smelling", the GP added. 2. They're not producing tears If your little one is crying but not producing any tears, that's a red flag that they need some liquids, Dr Jarvis said. 3. They have a sunken soft spot on their head Babies have soft spot on the top of their head that's called a fontanelle. If this is sunken, this means your tot is dehydrated, Sarah explained. 4. They have sunken eyes Another thing to watch out for in children - not just babies - is sunken eyes. 5. Their lips are dry 4 You should check if your child's lips, mouth and tongue look dry - if so, it's a sign they need some water, Dr Jarvis said. 6. They're complaining As children get older, they'll obviously be able to tell you if they're feeling thirsty, so keep an ear out, Dr Jarvis advised parents. 7. Their hands and feet are cold If your kid's hands and feet are cold despite the heat, this is a dehydration red flag, according to the GP. When you're dehydrated, your circulation might shut down and be diverted from your peripherals - your hands and feet - so it can supply your vital organs, she explained. 8. They seem irritable 4 Another sign to look out for is if your baby or child seems irritable, drowsy or confused. 9. They're breathing faster than normal Your tot breathing faster than normal could again indicate dehydration, as can a faster heartbeat. Most parents won't easily be able to spot a change in their kid's heart rate that easily, but Dr Jarvis said a change in breathing would be noticeable. What do I do to avoid dehydration? "Do remember that children will be happy to run in the sun," Dr Jarvis said. But she said it was important to keep them out of the rays, particularly between 11 and three o'clock. Babies under six months should be kept out of the sun completely, the GP emphasised. And she advised you slather your kids in SPF 50 sun cream. Dr Jarvis added: "Sun suits can be really helpful." These body-covering suits are made of a light, stretchy fabric that can block out UV rays better than loose weave clothing, even it they totally cover your tot's skin. You also pop a hat on your kids' and babies' heads, she went on - it should have a flap at the back to cover their neck and a cap in the front to cover their face. Most of all, "make sure that a drink is always there," Dr Jarvis stressed. Fully breastfed babies don't need any extra water and formula should be enough to keep bottle fed little ones hydrated too. Carry on feeding you baby as usual, but you can give them smaller and more frequent amounts if you think they're dehydrated, NHS guidance stated. If your baby is on formula or on solid food, you can give them small sips of extra water - this should be boiled and cooled. You shouldn't make your babies formula weaker or young children fruit juice or fizzy drinks, the NHS said. Finally, to keep your kids cool, Dr Jarvis recommended you make sure their bedrooms don't heat up throughout the day by closing the blinds. If you have a nursery thermometer, the ideal temperature for the space will be between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius, the GP said. And a cool bath before bedtime can be helpful, Dr Jarvis added.
