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Europe heatwave live: UK issues rare red temperature warnings; French PM to hold crisis meeting after heat deaths
TL;DR
The UK has issued a rare red weather warning as temperatures are expected to hit 38-40C, affecting areas from London to Birmingham. French PM is set to hold a crisis meeting following heat-related deaths.
Key points
- UK issues rare red weather warning for extreme heat
- Temperatures expected to reach 38-40C
- Warnings cover areas from London to Birmingham
- Severe health risks and danger to life anticipated
- Amber and yellow weather warnings also in effect
With temperatures forecast to reach 38-40C in parts of England and Wales, Britain’s national weather forecaster issued a rare red weather warning covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.
These were reserved for the most severe events, the Met Office said, meaning this heatwave was expected to bring “severe and significant impacts” including widespread health risks for many – not just those who were normally more vulnerable to the heat – and even danger to life.
The alert also warned that “substantial changes” in working practices and daily routines would be required, and indicated a high risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, bringing the loss of power and other essential services, such as water, electricity, gas or mobile phone services, PA Media reports.
An amber weather warning is also in place for a larger area of England and Wales between Monday and Thursday.
A yellow warning for thunderstorms is in place until 9pm on Monday, covering an area stretching between Bristol and Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Welcome to today’s coverage of the deadly heatwave in Europe.
Rare red warnings have been issued in the UK over extreme temperatures that are set to hit record highs for June this week as a fierce heatwave grips Europe.
Forecasters say the heatwave could see temperatures hit 38C to 40C in some parts of England and Wales, smashing the June record set in 1976 by several degrees as human-driven climate change intensifies the impact of a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe.
In France a heatwave red alert has been issued to more than half of the country’s departments, affecting about 39 million people, and at least 18 have died – including two children left in a hot car – since the weekend.
French prime minister Sebastien Lecornu was scheduled to hold a crisis meeting on Tuesday, an aide said. More than 1,350 schools have been shut due to the heat.
The UK’s hot conditions – which had been very rare there until now – would be accompanied by high humidity and very warm nights, which would make it hard for people to recover overnight, forecasters said.
Q&A
What areas in the UK are under the red weather warning?
The red weather warning covers areas stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham.
What health risks are associated with the current heatwave in the UK?
The heatwave poses severe health risks for many individuals, not just those typically vulnerable to heat, with potential danger to life.
What changes in daily routines are recommended during the heatwave?
The alert indicates that substantial changes in working practices and daily routines will be required due to the extreme heat.
What other weather warnings are in effect in the UK during this heatwave?
An amber weather warning is in place for a larger area of England and Wales, and a yellow warning for thunderstorms is active until Monday evening.
