UK Heatwave: Met office issues red 'Danger to Life' 40°C alert

A rare red alert heat warning 'danger to life' has been issued as temperatures in the capital could reach upto 40C this week.⁣

⁣Temperatures in Britain are expected to smash records for June later this week as a heatwave hitting western Europe spreads north across ‌the Channel.

'Danger to Life' red alerts

The emergency alert, which carries an official "danger to life" designation for both vulnerable people and healthy individuals, will be active on Wednesday, 24 June and Thursday, 25 June.

Weather official assess it could be the hottest June day ever recorded in the UK. Add in the humidity and it may feel even hotter on London's streets.⁣⁣

And it is unlikely there will be much relief overnight, with tropical nights expected and temperatures staying above 20C in some parts of the city.⁣

A massive continental heat dome trapping high-humidity air over the UK will push temperatures close to all-time highs across London, the Midlands, the South East, South West, and East of England.

Forecasters warn that tropical nights where overnight temperatures stay above 21°C, will offer zero physical relief from the intense heat stress.

As the mercury could reach 39 to 40 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) by the middle of the week, the country's weather forecaster said on Monday, this four-day heatwave would easily break the record for June set at 35.6 C in 1957 and later matched in 1976.

The heatwave, covering southern and central England and parts of Wales, could push temperatures above 39 C in some places, the Met said.

The June heatwave follows a record-breaking May, when the country recorded its hottest day for the month hitting 35.1 C.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Britain was in July 2022 and stands at 40.3 C.

Issuing only its second ever heat-health alert following one in 2022, the UK Health Security Agency said there was a risk to life for even healthy people, and advised the elderly to take ‌extra care.

"Humidity is also a factor, making this heatwave even more impactful with heat stress a danger to all," the Met Office said in its statement on Monday, adding that there would also be tropical nights, where temperatures stay above 20 C.

Impact of extreme heatwave:

Hospitals, schools and trains in England and Wales will all be braced for the impact of extreme heat. During past heatwaves people have been advised to stay at home instead of travelling, while some schools have shut early.

Britain's heatwave comes after high temperatures in France led to the deaths of three elderly people and forced schools in parts of the country to shut on Monday, with temperatures forecast to exceed 42 C, while there were also heat alerts for parts of northern Spain.

Notably, conditions in Britain are expected to cool slightly to about 32 C by Friday.