UK weather: Brits to bask in 30C sun again today but thunderstorms will spoil the fun for some, Met Office warns
BRITS are expected to bask in 30C sun again today – but more thunderstorms will spoil the party for some.
Yesterday saw the hottest day on record this year – as Brits packed out beaches and parks across the country to soak up the summer heat – with temperatures soaring to 32.2C.
More of the same is expected throughout today – though more cloud will hang over – with maximum temperatures of 32C, the Met Office say.
Sun-seekers up and down the country are again likely to fire up their barbecue grills and sunbathe in spots nationwide.
However, another yellow warning has been rolled out for thunderstorms from midday until 9pm for Wales, Northern Ireland and most of western and central England and Scotland – threatening fresh floods.
The conditions are due to an ‘Iberian plume’ – a mass of very warm air travelling north from Spain that has also triggered a risk of downpours.
It comes after The Met Office expected up to 100mm of rain on Saturday evening – the equivalent to a month’s worth of rain – but the most recorded was 21.8mm in Billinge Hill, Merseyside.
Heavy rain and hail lashed down on Saturday evening across the North West as an amber warning for thunderstorms was issued.
In Worcestershire, one road had to be closed after a tree came down and brought a power line with it.
West Mercia Operations and Communications Centre tweeted saying the A4133 Holt Fleet was closed on Saturday evening after the tree fell following heavy rain.
Elsewhere, the Charlotte Edwards Cup final between Southern Vipers and the Blaze was suspended on Saturday evening following heavy rain in Worcester, with play set to resume at New Road on Sunday’s reserve day.
Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “As the heat builds from the south, thundery showers will develop through Saturday afternoon.
“While not everyone in the warning area will see the heaviest showers, or even any rain at all, some will bring heavy thundery downpours.
“With intense showers there is a risk of surface water flooding which could cause some disruption.
“Sunday will see 30C (86F) again in parts of southern UK and the risk of thunderstorms more widely – particularly western and central areas.”
More hot weather is expected next week, with thunder and showers on Monday – but by Tuesday onwards it is likely to settle.
Most of the UK will meet heatwave criteria next week, the Met Office added.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber alert for hot weather until 9am on Tuesday in the West Midlands, East Midlands, east of England, South East and South West.
It means the impact of the heat is “likely to be felt across the whole health service… and the wider population, not just the most vulnerable”.
An additional yellow alert – which warns of potential disruption to services due to weather conditions, is in place for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regions of England, as well as London.
Ways to keep yourself safe in the hot weather
Here are the ways in which you can keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather:
- Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you
- Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them
- Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm
- If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening
- Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun
- If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly
- Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake