The United Kingdom will face extreme temperatures on Tuesday that could drop all-time records in extreme temperatures, a day after parts of the country experienced the hottest nights on record.
On Monday, temperatures reached 38.1 degrees Celsius (100.58 degrees Fahrenheit) in Santon Downham in eastern England, making it the third warmest day on record. Officials warned that things were likely to get worse.
The Met Office chief executive, Penelope Endersby, told the BBC that Tuesday was “expected to be much hotter”, adding that there was a higher chance of reaching 40C.
“Maybe even above that, 41 isn’t out of the cards,” she said. “We have up to 43 seconds in the model but hopefully it won’t be that high.”
Earlier this month, the Met Office said the extreme heat wave could put “people’s lives at risk.” In southern Europe, which is also experiencing a heat wave, more than 1,100 people have died in the exceptional heat.
The Met Office recently released its first ever version Severe heat red warning to parts of the country, including London and Manchester, describing the alert as a “very serious situation”.
“If people have vulnerable relatives or neighbours, it’s time to make sure they are taking the appropriate measures to be able to deal with the heat because if the forecast is as we think it will be in the red warning zone, then people’s lives are at risk,” said Graham Madge, a Met Office spokesman.
On Monday, the National Weather Service said many Britons experienced the hottest night on record in the country.
“The UK has tentatively experienced its highest daily minimum temperature ever. Temperatures have not fallen below 25°C in some places, surpassing the previous daily record high of 23.9°C, recorded in Brighton on August 3, 1990,” the Met Office chirp Tuesday.
Some basic information: Travelers urged in the British capital not using Transport network in London early this week unless for “essential flights”, amid a severe heat wave across Western Europe.
“Due to the exceptionally hot weather expected next week, customers should only use the London transport network on essential journeys,” said Transport for London (TfL) Director of Operations Andy Lord said.
Lord added that temporary speed limits would be imposed on London’s underground and rail services “to keep everyone safe”, and urged travelers to “carry water at all times”.
Extremely hot temperatures can damage power lines and signaling equipment. TfL said it will try to keep services running smoothly and use increased inspections to mitigate the impact of the extreme heat.
TfL said in a statement that track temperature checks would be carried out to prevent tracks from bending or twisting. The network will also inspect Tube Network air conditioning units and air cooling systems on DC double-decker buses.
Motorists were also encouraged not to drive during hot periods of the day.
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