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African heatwave sweeps across Europe as temperatures look set to reach 36C in the UK today, health officials warn Heatwave sweeps across Europe as temperatures look set to reach 36C in the UK today
(about 2 hours later)
Governments across Europe – including Britain – have issued health warnings as a heatwave sweeps through the continent, with today being the hottest July 1 in nine years.Governments across Europe – including Britain – have issued health warnings as a heatwave sweeps through the continent, with today being the hottest July 1 in nine years.
Portugal, Spain and France could see temperatures above 40C (104F) with the UK set to see the mercury hit almost 36C (97F) in some parts, making it hotter than Rio De Janeiro, Ibiza and Lanzarote.Portugal, Spain and France could see temperatures above 40C (104F) with the UK set to see the mercury hit almost 36C (97F) in some parts, making it hotter than Rio De Janeiro, Ibiza and Lanzarote.
The high temperatures are being caused by a mass of hot air flowing north from Africa over recent days and the hot weather looks set to last until the end of this week across Britain.The high temperatures are being caused by a mass of hot air flowing north from Africa over recent days and the hot weather looks set to last until the end of this week across Britain.
Now, health officials across the country are urging vulnerable groups – including the elderly, young children and people with breathing difficulties – to stay cool, drink plenty of water and, if possible, remain indoors today between 11am-3pm.Now, health officials across the country are urging vulnerable groups – including the elderly, young children and people with breathing difficulties – to stay cool, drink plenty of water and, if possible, remain indoors today between 11am-3pm.
Muslims who are fasting for the Holy Month of Ramadan are being asked to drink plenty of liquids in between fasts too.Muslims who are fasting for the Holy Month of Ramadan are being asked to drink plenty of liquids in between fasts too.
The Met Office has issued a level 3 heatwave alert that mobilises support for high-risk groups.The Met Office has issued a level 3 heatwave alert that mobilises support for high-risk groups.
The weather service’s spokesman, Dan Williams, said: “Many people will want to head out, but bear in mind it’s going to be hot and humid and people should make sure they are not adversely affected by the heat.”The weather service’s spokesman, Dan Williams, said: “Many people will want to head out, but bear in mind it’s going to be hot and humid and people should make sure they are not adversely affected by the heat.”
Warning the public to take care, he urged: “They should make sure they drink plenty of water and seek the shade if they are feeling too hot and make sure those who are vulnerable to heat health conditions to take precautions.Warning the public to take care, he urged: “They should make sure they drink plenty of water and seek the shade if they are feeling too hot and make sure those who are vulnerable to heat health conditions to take precautions.
Two friends cool-off in a fountain outside the Southbank Centre in London yesterday (via Rob Stothard/Getty Images) “Generally, it will be a nice day for most people. For the main daylight hours, most places will be dry with plenty of sunshine around across England and Wales, although there may be some rain in particular parts of Scotland.”Two friends cool-off in a fountain outside the Southbank Centre in London yesterday (via Rob Stothard/Getty Images) “Generally, it will be a nice day for most people. For the main daylight hours, most places will be dry with plenty of sunshine around across England and Wales, although there may be some rain in particular parts of Scotland.”
At Wimbledon yesterday, players on Centre Court endured scorching temperatures in the sun as paramedics treated 123 tennis fans for dehydration, heat exhaustion and sun burn with two being taken into hospital.At Wimbledon yesterday, players on Centre Court endured scorching temperatures in the sun as paramedics treated 123 tennis fans for dehydration, heat exhaustion and sun burn with two being taken into hospital.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club has also warned spectators and players at Wimbledon today to take measures to combat the high temperatures which are expected to easily exceed 36C.The All England Lawn Tennis Club has also warned spectators and players at Wimbledon today to take measures to combat the high temperatures which are expected to easily exceed 36C.
Travel may be disrupted and Network Rail has imposed speed restrictions on some of its services, advising commuters to check their journeys before travelling.Travel may be disrupted and Network Rail has imposed speed restrictions on some of its services, advising commuters to check their journeys before travelling.
A spokesman for Network Rail described how the heat could affect travel: “As rails are made out of steel, they expand as they heat up and are subject to strong compression.A spokesman for Network Rail described how the heat could affect travel: “As rails are made out of steel, they expand as they heat up and are subject to strong compression.
“This expansion has to be managed to reduce the risk of track buckling. If the track does buckle, the line must be closed and the track repaired before services can resume, causing considerable disruption.“This expansion has to be managed to reduce the risk of track buckling. If the track does buckle, the line must be closed and the track repaired before services can resume, causing considerable disruption.
“Usually, these repairs can’t be done until the temperature of the rails has dropped, but, if a section of track is judged to be at risk, we introduce local speed restrictions – slower trains exert lower forces on the track and reduce the chance of buckling.“Usually, these repairs can’t be done until the temperature of the rails has dropped, but, if a section of track is judged to be at risk, we introduce local speed restrictions – slower trains exert lower forces on the track and reduce the chance of buckling.
“There may be some disruption but we’re trying to minimise this.”“There may be some disruption but we’re trying to minimise this.”
The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was in 2006 when the mercury hit 36.5C (98F) in Wisley, Surrey.The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was in 2006 when the mercury hit 36.5C (98F) in Wisley, Surrey.