Record-breaking heat expected across UK this week, says Met Office

The Met Office has expanded its extreme heat warning for the UK, predicting record-breaking highs of 38C (100.4F) this week. The Met Office forecasts that extremely high temperatures could last from Monday until Thursday, leading to health concerns for elderly and vulnerable people. The forecaster said there was “growing confidence” that this week may break the record for the hottest June temperature of 35.6C, which was set in 1976 in Southampton and Camden Square, London, in June 1957. “The forecast heatwave is developing into an impactful severe weather event, with record-breaking June temperatures and very high humidity,” said Tom Crabtree, a Met Office deputy chief forecaster. “The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies.” People enjoy a walk in Dunsden, Oxfordshire on Sunday. Health experts recommend avoiding the sun between 11am and 3pm in a heatwave. Photograph: Geoffrey Swaine/Shutterstock Overnight temperatures will also be very high, with widespread tropical nights, where the temperature does not drop below 20C, across southern parts of England and especially in urban areas. Humidity is also a factor, making this heatwave even more impactful with heat stress a danger to all. “This will make it very hard for people to recover from the daytime heat, exacerbating the heat stress impacts,” said Crabtree. …