UK households urged to keep windows closed from Friday until Saturday
Brits are being warned to keep their windows shut - along with their curtains and blinds - from today until at least Saturday as temperatures soar unexpectedly.
Today saw a sharp rise in the mercury, with the Met Office confirming a sizzling 29.3C at Kew Gardens, London. While the heat is set to dip slightly, parts of the UK can still anticipate balmy conditions on Friday and Saturday. Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Michael Silverstone commented on Wednesday: "We are experiencing a brief very warm or even hot spell, which isn't abnormal for the time of year. However, if we reach 30C on Thursday, May 1, it will be the earliest date in May that the UK has seen 30C since our records began in 1860."
He added: "This week has already seen highs of 24.5C at St James's Park on Monday and 24.9C at Ross-on-Wye and Trawsgoed on Tuesday. Temperatures are set to climb to 29C or even 30C [on Thursday]. By Friday, the heat will start to ease, though parts of the south and south east may still reach 27C or 28C. The weekend will bring cooler conditions, with more average temperatures for all parts by Sunday."
As the UK faces a scorching May sun, our homes are heating up - challenging the high insulation designed for chilly British winters. It means British households are encouraged to introduce steps that will maintain cooler indoor environments during sunny spells.
Energy experts are dishing out advice on how to keep our homes cool without burning cash. OVO Energy advises against the urge to open windows during a heatwave, saying: "Tempting as it is to fling open the windows at the first sign of summer, it's not actually the best idea. To keep your house cool, you need to keep the hot air out."
The firm suggests keeping windows firmly shut. It added: "This means keeping windows closed during the day – particularly south-facing windows. Keep curtains, blinds and windows shut when the sun is shining directly on them, and when you're out. Try opening windows on the most shaded side of your home, to avoid sunlight and hot air getting in."
BOXT's Andy Kerr says Brits struggle with getting rid of the heat because homes here are built like toasty fortresses designed to cling onto warmth. Many believe that blasting fans or leaving windows wide open will cut through the heat – but Andy says otherwise.
He said: "Getting rid of unwanted heat in your home can be difficult in the summer months, especially when most UK properties are built to retain heat. While grabbing a fan or opening up all your windows are often mentioned as effective ways to cool your home, these methods may not result in the desired results.
"To help homeowners keep cool as the warmer months approach, we have revealed which common home cooling hacks are myths and why they don't work so you can avoid them this summer. When temperatures are particularly warm, opening up all your windows will let more hot air into your home, heating up your home and making you feel warmer.
"Instead of opening all your windows, it is much better to strategically open windows to create cross breezes throughout the day and open your windows during the night to let cooler air in."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Italy hit with landslides as flash floods trigger evacuation
Italy has been inundated by landslides caused by flashfloods that have destroyed bridges, washed away cars and triggered an evacuation. Following powerful summer thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday, the picturesque Passiria Valley in northern Italy was flooded after over 100mm of rain fell in just a few hours. Video footage taken of the floods in the region showed muddied water raging across the land. Roads were submerged in water and mud, trapping cars that tried to ford the flow of rain. One set of photos showed what appeared to be a building site of new homes in the valley having many of their structural materials rushed away by the flash floods. The ground upon which a six-storey building, half-built and still exposed to the elements, was soaked through with water. Rusted metal parts were seen on its roof. One road, shut down due to the weather, remains closed until further notice while a one-way system for cars across the valley has been in place since 5am. Local firefighters deployed ten vehicles, including five bucket excavators and three wheel loaders, to remove six to seven meters of material and clear the blocked passageway so the water could flow in a controlled manner. As Italy is deluged by flashfloods, s hocking footage shows the aftermath of deadly wildfires in Cyprus with rows of luxury villas reduced to ashes . Terrified residents were forced to flee in the night as raging flames - fanned by powerful winds and a 40C heatwave - engulfed entire streets to the north of Limassol, a coastal city loved by Brits. One elderly couple were tragically burnt alive as they attempted to flee in their car while rescue teams are frantically searching for missing people and carrying out mass evacuations. The blaze, which hasn't stopped burning since it broke out at midday on Wednesday, has devastated swathes of agricultural and habitable land across the wine–producing region north of the city of Limassol, which sits near popular holiday hotspots. Rows of luxury homes in the Souni region of the island were seen burnt to a crisp. Several trees on the front of properties were seen charred and mangled by the flames. Telegraph poles could be seen askew in the ground, warped by the fires. The inferno is believed to have begun from two points around 300ft apart in an area underneath a bridge where there is a rubbish dump. Local cops are reportedly investigating the cause of the blaze as arson. It has since emerged that two people have died after they were burned alive in their car. Local media has reported that the pair were an elderly couple who were trying to flee the fires, though they have not been formally identified yet.
Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Weather maps turn red as Brits enjoy 29C highs - see list of 32 hottest counties
The UK has enjoyed several heatwaves this year with long spells of sunshine and blue skies, and now weather maps show we are set for more scorching temperatures Brits are set for more sweltering conditions this month as weather maps again turn red and we could see highs of 29C. The UK so far has seen several heatwaves this year and the hottest day was recorded at St James's Park in London on July 1 where the mercury reached 34.7C, while parts of Essex and Kent also topped 33C. In recent weeks the weather has remained largely warm but it has also been mixed with some torrential downpours. And now maps from WXCharts show temperatures are about to surge again with most of England turning red on July 30 with highs of 29C forecast for the southeast. The maximum temperatures are forecast for London, Berkshire, Surrey and Oxfordshire, but the majority of England is also set for a beautiful day, with temperatures between 25C and 29C forecast from Plymouth up to Lincolnshire. Further north, it will reach the low 20Cs. The east coast in Norfolk and Suffolk could see highs of 27C at 6pm, Kent will be basking in 28C, Birmingham has been predicted a balmy 26C, while Leicester and Nottingham could enjoy highs of 26C and 27C. Further north and on the southwest coast, it will cool down slightly, although it will still be in the mid-20Cs in Cornwall, and in Manchester, it could reach a pleasant 22C. In the north of England, the east looks warmer than the west, meaning Liverpool could max out at around 20C. Moving inland towards Leeds, it reaches 23C, and on the east coast, Newcastle could enjoy highs of 22C. The Met Office long-range outlook between July 28 and August 6 also predicts that the highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected in the south and the east. It states: "A weather regime dominated by westerly winds is likely at first. This will likely bring rain and showers at times interspersed with periods of more settled weather. "The north and west will most likely be the focus of any wetter and windier weather, where there may be some prolonged spells of rain at times. The highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected to the east of hills, and across south and eastern areas. Later in the period if high pressure builds into the southwest settled weather may develop there too. "It will be breezy at times, especially in further north. Temperatures are most likely to be near to average or slightly above average for the time of year." Hottest counties above 25C Kent East Sussex West Sussex Hampshire Dorset Somerset Devon Cornwall Wiltshire Berkshire Surrey London Essex Norfolk Suffolk Cambridgeshire Hertfordshire Buckinghamshire Befordshire Berkshire Wiltshire Oxfordshire Gloucestershire Northampstonshire Lincolnshire Leicestershire Nottinghamshire Herefordshire Worcestershire Shropshire Staffordshire Derbyshire
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Three dog breeds most at risk of heatstroke & why long car journeys to your summer staycation can be dangerous
NOW that summer is finally here, many of us plan to get away. But if you have a dog you may not want to go abroad and opt for a pup-friendly staycation as the weather gets warmer. 1 With more and more pet owners wanting to spend the holidays with their dogs, searches for "pet-friendly lodge" have soared 357% over the past month. While we all love the hot weather, it can be dangerous for your dog, especially if you have a long drive to your holiday destination. as more and more Brits look to include their pets in summer plans. But with temperatures increasing, our furry companions are likely to bear the brunt of this hot weather while travelling to their destinations. Fortunately, The Net Vet has shared everything you need to know to avoid your dog getting heatstroke, from how to safely keep them cool on longer car journeys, to the products that are worth it and the telltale signs of an early health issue. Breeds That Struggle Most In Cars Dr. Alex from The Net Vet revealed, 'Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as bulldogs, pugs, and boxers are especially prone to overheating [in the car] because of their short and narrow airways, which make breathing and cooling off more difficult. "Long-haired breeds, overweight pets, seniors, and those with heart or respiratory issues are also at greater risk. In terms of breeds at higher risk of heatstroke, flat-faced breeds top the list, but large, heavy-coated dogs like Newfoundlands, Huskies, and Saint Bernards are also at risk. To keep these pets from overheating in the car, the vets recommend: Travel during cooler parts of the day (early morning or evening) Use cooling mats or vests Keep fresh, cool water on hand at all times Make sure cool air from the AC is reaching them not just circulating in the front Never leave them alone in the car, even for a short time Take extra water that you can soak towels to cool them down should they start experiencing the signs of heatstroke It's also a good idea to take regular breaks if you have a dog in the car, reports Holiday Lodges. Dr. Alex adds: "Plan to stop every 60 to 90 minutes. During breaks, take your pet for a short walk in a shaded area, offer water and allow time to drink and let them cool off if they're showing signs of discomfort. "Avoid walking on hot pavement, which can burn their paws and test with the back of your hand first." Top five tips for training your dog from reinforcing behaviours to knowing when to give the treats Heatstroke And Cars The vet reveals that the biggest danger dogs face when driving in cars is heatstroke, so it's worth getting to know the symptoms to look for. He says: "Cars can heat up rapidly, even with windows open or in the shade. "It only takes a few minutes for the inside of a vehicle to become dangerously hot, putting pets at serious risk. 'Dogs and cats can't regulate their body temperature as effectively as humans, and they can quickly become dehydrated, overheat, or suffer from respiratory distress. "Other risks include stress, anxiety, and even burns from hot car surfaces like leather seats or metal buckles." Key Signs Of Heatstroke Heavy panting or drooling Bright red gums or tongue Restlessness, agitation Vomiting or diarrhoea Weakness, unsteady movements Collapse 'If you notice any of these signs, pull over immediately and move your pet to a shaded area or cool part of the car (or take them out of the car)," says Dr. Alex. "Offer small amounts of water, and cool them with damp towels - especially around the paws, neck, and belly. 'You can even pour cold water over them if you have enough. Use air conditioning or fans to help lower their temperature. Then head to the nearest vet straight away." Keep Your Dog Cool Air conditioning and plenty of water should help keep your dog cool, but you may need other items to help. Use Cooling mats or pads to provide relief, especially on warm seats Fit Window shades or reflective screens to reduce heat and sun exposure Invest in portable fans to help circulate air around the pet Soak bandanas or vests in cold water before the trip Bring a travel water bowl and offer water regularly Use ventilated carriers or crates, and make sure they aren't in direct sunlight'
