Weird cloud in Portugal looks like humongous wave
Portugal is in the middle of a heatwave with highs of 42C and the conditions are likely to have been the cause of the strange cloud. "This is a spectacular example of a roll cloud. It's a type of arcus (curved) cloud that can form near to a powerful thunderstorm," said Sarah Keith-Lucas from BBC Weather. "Cool moist air from over the ocean rolls in to meet the warm, dry air over land," added Sarah, explaining that the heat it can cause water in the air quickly to turn into tiny droplets which forms a cloud. "Due to air flowing in different directions above and below the cloud, it can form into the distinctive cigar shape - a long, thin cloud which is most common close to the coast."
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BBC News
40 minutes ago
- BBC News
UK weather: heatwave spreads to Scotland and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland and Scotland will see temperatures soar as the UK's third heatwave of the year spreads across the country. Scotland is likely to see its warmest day of the year with temperatures of up to 31C. Northern Ireland could potentially the mercury rise above 29.5C - the highest recorded temperature so far this England and Wales, temperatures are expected to be widely in the high 20s to low 30s with the south-west Midlands and south-east Wales predicted to see the hottest for eastern parts of England, an easterly breeze will bring slightly cooler temperatures though most areas will still meet heatwave thresholds. How to sleep in the heatWhat are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?What should you look for when choosing sunscreen?What does hot weather do to the body? On Friday, Astwood Bank in the West Midlands recorded the highest temperature of heat health alerts for southern England, the Midlands, and East Anglia will remain in place until Monday, the UK Health Security Agency severe yellow warnings remain in place for northern England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland face warnings of wildfires on Saturday and weather alerts are issued during periods that are only likely to affect those who are particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly, and those with existing health alerts are issued in situations that could put the whole population at the thousands expected to attend the Wimbledon finals this weekend, temperatures in south-west London will remain high on Saturday and are expected to reach 30C, possibly 32C in some areas, according the Met will see a slight dip to 29C in daytime highs, but the heat will remain with a chance of some places around London seeing 30C or above. This year, Wimbledon has faced some of the hottest temperatures in its 148-year history and has a heat rule in place for all singles men's singles semi-final on Friday between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz was stopped twice in less than five minutes due to fans in the crowd requiring medical on Centre Court reached a sweltering 32C on organisers have added more free water refill points on the grounds and increased reminders for fans to take sun precautions and seek shade. Fire chiefs have also warned people of the increased risk of drowning when trying to keep cool, urging parents to supervise their children at all times around the and hot conditions also make wildfires a crucial concern, with the risk currently rated at "severe" in London by the Natural Hazards Partnership."Our experience tells us that wildfires can start in an instant and escalate rapidly. That's why we're asking everyone to stay alert and act responsibly," the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) chairman Phil Garrigan Rail has warned commuters of possible disruption to travel this weekend as overhead power lines and rails could be affected by the heat. On Friday, more than seven million people across England and Wales were affected by hosepipe bans, restricting activities including watering of gardens, cleaning cars and filling paddling heatwave will be over for most on Monday as cooler Atlantic air spreads, bringing cloud and some showers to northern and western warn that extreme weather conditions are made more likely as a result of manmade climate change.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Families to pay more for water during hot weather as companies impose surge pricing
FAMILIES face paying more for water during heat waves under surge pricing trials. A pilot scheme for customers with smart water meters at 15 firms across the country will be introduced, meaning water costs will change when demand is higher. 4 4 4 Ofwat, the industry regulator, said the five-year trials could extend for all customers. A nationwide rollout of smart meters is being supported by the Government to reduce consumption, which ministers reckon will help prevent hosepipe bans. It comes as the Met Office is predicting temperature highs of 32C this weekend. And households use up to double the amount of water during hot weather. The average four-person family consumes 438litres of water per day, according to Southern Water. Ofwat said last year surge pricing measures could help reduce water consumption when demand is higher. It said in a report: 'customers who use a lot of water, for example those with swimming pools, hot tubs or large scale sprinkler systems, could be charged a premium for very high use, particularly at times when water is scarce.' A spokesman for Ofwat said: 'We are working with partners to consider the recommendations made by Baringa as we develop our approach to the water efficiency fund.' Approximately half a million households in England and Wales have a smart water meter installed, with providers at varying stages of their rollout. But firms have been criticised for installing them without households' consent in so-called water-stressed areas, where demand exceeds availability. This comes as parts of Kent and Sussex and Yorkshire have been introduced to a sweeping ban on hosepipes. From yesterday, Brits are not be permitted to use hosepipes to water their gardens, wash their cars or for any other purpose while the ban is in effect. Businesses will still be permitted to use a hosepipe if it relates to commercial purposes. Blue badge holders and people on Yorkshire Water's priority services register will also be exempt from the restrictions. Restrictions are set to stay in place until the region has seen some rainfall but the ban could last until winter. Customers who ignore the ban could face fines of up to £1,000. A pilot by South West Water was predicted to hike annual bills for someone who gardens regularly by £22, while someone living in a flat could save £1 a year. It is now planning to trial 'peak summer demand tariffs'. Market Operator Services Limited (MOSL), which runs the commercial water retail market, said 'surge pricing' would only work with data from smart readers. A spokesperson said earlier this year: 'Granular consumption data from smart meters, for example, can support greater innovations in tariffs, including seasonal tariffs and surge pricing." Those with smart gas and electricity meters are already subject to surge pricing measures when demand is high. However, the Government has called on water companies not to use smart meter data to assess whether households are breaking hosepipe bans because it's unreliable. Readings are not able to reveal which appliances are being used. A source at one water provider told the Telegraph: 'It would be possible, although it's not possible for us at the moment.' But Thames Water inspectors are already being sent to households that use more than 500 litres of water per day. A source said: 'We are using water meters to spot households whose water usage never goes below zero, as this would suggest they've got a leak.' Richard Tice, the Reform UK MP, said: 'Once again, Big Brother is watching you. This would be a Chinese-style social credit system. The answer is to fix our water industry. "There is no reason to ever have water shortages on an island nation beset by rain.' Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, added: 'This is developing into Big Brother spying on us. This is what goes on in China under the brutal Chinese Communist Party.' Meanwhile, Water companies have denied smart meters are being implemented to enforce hosepipe bans. A spokesman for Water UK said: 'Smart meters cannot be used to track compliance with water restrictions. "They only tell water customers and water companies how much water is being used and when. "This information helps to identify leaks and it allows customers to save money by enabling them to understand and manage their water use.' A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said: 'Smart meters cannot be used to track hosepipe usage. "They can show us how much customers are using, which can help detect leaks, saving water and saving customers who are on a meter money.' 4
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Temperatures set to peak on Saturday as country bakes in summer's third heatwave
The third heatwave of the summer is set to peak on Saturday, forecasters said, with highs of more than 34C possible in parts of the UK. Amber heat health alerts are in place for the Midlands and southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday, warning of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Temperatures reached 34.7C at Astwood Bank, near Worcester, on Friday, the Met Office said, with similar or even higher temperatures expected on Saturday. 'It might be plus or minus half a degree higher or lower (on Saturday), probably maybe a little bit higher, but that's going to be the peak as then temperatures start coming down a little bit through the second half of the weekend as low pressure slowly starts to edge in,' meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said. On Friday, Wales recorded its hottest day of the year with 32.4C in Cardiff's Bute Park, and temperatures have widely reached the high 20s across the country. Even the Scottish Highlands had very hot weather, with a high of 28.9C in Aboyne, a village in Aberdeenshire. Fire chiefs have urged people to stay safe as they warned of the increased risk of wildfires and drowning during the heatwave. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) asked people not to enter water to try to cool down and urged parents and carers to ensure children are supervised around water at all times. Phil Garrigan, NFCC chairman, said: 'We are urging people to take simple but vital safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones during this period of hot, dry weather. 'Our experience tells us that wildfires can start in an instant and escalate rapidly. That's why we're asking everyone to stay alert and act responsibly.' HM Coastguard also issued safety advice for people heading to the coast, as data from the water incident database shows most drownings occurred in July over the last three years. The Met Office said that though temperatures may peak on Saturday, it will remain 'very warm' across the country on Sunday. 'We're probably looking at maximum temperatures around 30C, 31C degrees across central and southern England, but still widely across the whole UK, mid to high 20s,' Mr Dewhurst said. 'It could still get to around 29 or 30C across southeast England on Monday, and then everyone into the fresher air by Tuesday, temperatures more like 23C, 24C as the maximum temperature.' As well as the amber alerts, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has yellow alerts in place until Monday for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber. Yorkshire Water brought in restrictions on using hosepipes for activities such as watering the garden, cleaning cars and filling paddling pools, on Friday, as part of efforts to protect supplies in the face of yet more dry weather forecast for the coming weeks. South East Water said demand for drinking water had reached 'record levels since May', adding: 'This situation has left us with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers, so we can help our reservoirs and underground water storage recover.' It means customers in Kent and Sussex are banned from using a hosepipe to water gardens and plants, clean vehicles, fill swimming pools or ponds or clean paths, walls or windows. Those who ignore the bans could face fines of up to £1,000. The London Fire Brigade said it has responded to 24 wildfires this year, five of which occurred this week, including one in Manor Park, east London, on Friday afternoon, where 70 firefighters fought to tackle a grass fire on Wanstead Flats. The risk of wildfires in London is currently rated at 'severe' by the Natural Hazards Partnership. National Rail has warned train passengers that the hot weather may cause disruption this weekend. ' Heat can cause overhead lines to expand and sag, rails to buckle, and also line-side fires,' it said on its website. Meanwhile, the RNLI warned beachgoers that, despite the heat, there is still a risk of cold water shock. Ross Macleod, the charity's water safety manager, said: 'Even in hot weather, the seas around our coasts are cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, while waves and rip currents can overpower even the most experienced water users.' He added: 'We encourage people to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by the lifeguards.'
