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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Summer-time revelry is set to continue as temperatures hit 30C as Britain records its third heatwave of the year
Parts of Britain are set to sizzle in 30C heat again today as the UK continues to bask in its third heatwave of the year. The scorching temperatures are a slight climb-down from the searing 33C recorded yesterday in Ross on Wye, Herefordshire, yesterday afternoon, but continue to mark what has been a red-hot summer thus far in the UK. Scotland yesterday recorded its warmest day of the year with 32C reached in Aviemore in the Highlands, while areas like Belfast in Northern Ireland were as hot as they had been in almost three years. And by this afternoon, temperatures in cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester look set to smash the 30C mark again as the relentless heat continues to scorch the UK. Amber health alerts are in place for the Midlands and the south and east of England until 9am on Monday, which warn of a potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. The risk of wildfires in London is also currently rated at 'severe' by the Natural Hazards Partnership, while six million homes have been hit with a hosepipe ban as fire chiefs warn of the risk of drowning as people try to cool off in water. On top of the amber alerts, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has yellow warnings in place until Monday for the north east, north west and Yorkshire and Humber. And National Rail has also warned train passengers that the hot weather may continue to cause disruption today. Further north today, temperatures do begin to cool slightly with areas like Newcastle forecasted to hit a more manageable 22C. In Glasgow, this looks set to rise to 26C but along the M8 motorway to Edinburgh it is expected that this will drop to around 22C. Cardiff is also expected to be scorched again today with 30C forecast in the Welsh capital, while in Belfast temperatures could reach 26C. But today does appear to signal the last day of the UK's third heatwave of the year, with Met Office forecasters predicting that temperatures will largely cool next week in areas outside London. While the English capital will still be in the high 20s, cities like Liverpool and Newcastle are predicted to see heavy downpours early next week with maximum temperatures across the Midlands and north west being around 25C. But with the warm weather still around today, Ross Macleod, Water Safety Manager from the RNLI, warned of the dangers of cooling off in cold water and offered advice if doing so. He 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. 'Most people who find themselves in difficulty in water will panic or thrash about but we're urging people to ignore this instinct and remember to float: Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally. Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. It's fine if your legs sink – we all float differently. 'By doing this, you give yourself the chance to rest and recover your breathing. Once you've regained control of your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety. 'Heading to the coast is a great way to have fun, relax and cool off in these high temperatures, but remembering this one piece of advice could save your life if you find yourself struggling in water. 'We also 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.' Next week's cooler temperatures looks set to mark the end of the third heatwave, and scientists warning the latest searing temperatures have been made 100 times more likely because of human-made climate change. They say heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, and experts have warned heatwaves are 'silent killers', with the impacts of heat severely underestimated. They also say that the UK is unprepared for the rising risk of extremely hot conditions that climate change is bringing - especially earlier in the summer, when people are less acclimatised to coping with it. SCOTLAND: Lewis MacKay and Leia Paul from Muir of Ord take a cooling dip in Loch Ness on July 12, 2025 Dr Friederike Otto, associate professor at Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, previously said climate change was an 'absolute game-changer' for heat in Europe, making heat waves more frequent and more intense. 'Heat waves are called the silent killer, for a reason, every year thousands of people in Europe die due to extreme heat, particularly those that live in poorly insulated homes, on busy, polluted roads, and that already have health problems,' she said. 'But extreme heat also leads to agricultural losses, infrastructure failure and puts a big strain on plants and animals.' Conservationists and green experts have also previously warned of the wildfire risk of the heatwave as well as the impact on farmers, who face another poor harvest following one of the driest springs on record. Meanwhile retailers warned that fruit and vegetable prices in Britain were increasing due to the hot and dry weather reducing harvest yields. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said this jump had contributed to shop prices having returned to inflation for the first time in almost a year. SCOTLAND: Beata and Igor Gazdzik paddleboarding at Loch Morlich beach, near Aviemore on July 12, 2025 BERKSHIRE: Portable fans and water were deployed during the heatwave as racegoers arrived for the Racing to Zero Summer Mile Family Raceday at Ascot Racecourse on July 12, 2025 Overall shop prices were 0.4 per cent higher in June than a year earlier - a significant jump from the decline of 0.1 per cent seen in May, according to the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index. Food inflation increased to 3.7 per cent from May's 2.8 per cent in May, while fresh food was 3.2 per cent more expensive than a year ago. Meat prices have also been hit by high wholesale prices and more expensive labour costs. In terms of wildfires, Ben McCarthy, head of nature conservation and restoration ecology at the National Trust, said: 'With record-breaking temperatures across the country this week following the driest spring on record, our ranger and countryside teams are on high alert for fires which can cause decades of damage to habitats, decimate ecosystems and result in significant losses to our wildlife. 'Unfortunately, the sad truth is that most of the fires in the UK that impact our landscapes are started by people, whether accidentally or not, rather than by natural causes. 'Therefore, we're calling on people to help us protect wildlife and habitats by acting responsibly when outdoors, as even a small spark can cause a fire, and to please call 999 if you see a fire or any suspicious behaviour.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Heatwave death warnings issued for England as temperatures soar towards 35C - while Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales all record warmest day of the year
A warning of heatwave-induced deaths has been issued across England as temperatures soared towards 35C, while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all recorded their warmest day of the year. The warning comes as six million homes have been hit with a hosepipe ban and fire chiefs have warned of a increased risk of wildfires and drowning as people try to escape the heat in pools and ponds. The Met Office said Scotland's Aveimore hit 32.2C, with today the seventh time since at least 1961 that the same high has been recorded across the country. Meanwhile, a high of 30C was recorded in Magilligan, Ireland, while temperatures soared to 33.1C in Cardiff's Bute Park, beating the 2025 record set on Friday of 32.4C at the same location. Although England has been hot, with maximum temperatures also hitting 33.1C in Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, it did not break the country's current record for the year of 35.8C - recorded in Kent at the beginning of July. Amber heat health alerts are in place for the Midlands and southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday, with warning of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has yellow alerts in place until Monday for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber. Fire chiefs have urged people to stay safe as they warned of the increased risk of wildfires and drowning during the heatwave. A man sunbathes on the grass at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester as Amber heat health alerts are in place for the Midlands and southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday The risk of wildfires in London is currently rated at 'severe' by the Natural Hazards Partnership. This evening, firefighters in Surrey have been tackling a wildfire on Hankley Common in the small village of Thursley, spanning across approximately eight acres. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service have urge nearby residents to close windows and doors and also asked members of the public to otherwise avoid the area. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has 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.' Tennis fans have been struggling in the heat at Wimbledon for the past few days, with play experiencing brief disruptions as spectators needed medical assistance. When temperatures were forecast to rise on Saturday, the All England Club said it significantly increased the number of on-screen communications and push notifications to remind guests to stay hydrated and seek respite from the sun. The club also said service stewards on court have access to water for spectators in need, that on-site medical teams are ready to assist when required and that the grounds have more than 100 free water refill points as well as a pharmacy where guests can buy sunscreen. 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. And National Rail has also warned train passengers that the hot weather may cause disruption this weekend, stating on their website that 'heat can cause overhead lines to expand and sag, rails to buckle, and also line-side fires'. The Met Office said that it will remain 'very warm' across the country on Sunday, though it will be a 'little cooler' than today. Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: 'Sunday looks like being a little cooler than Saturday, but 30°C is still likely across central and southern parts of England and eastern Wales, with locally 31°C possible.' Meanwhile, meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said that the hot weather was set to continue across the southeast of England on Monday. Mr Dewhurst added: '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.' The continued hot temperatures follow a second hosepipe ban introduced in Kent and Sussex with thousands of customers in Yorkshire already restricting their water usage. Those supplied by South East Water will not be able to use their hosepipes for any reason from July 18. The company said the region has endured its driest spring since 1893 and has had to supply up to 680million litres of water in 24 hours as temperatures soar. A spokesperson added: '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.' South East Water warned that it will prosecute those who disobey the ban by slapping them with fines of up to £1,000. A hosepipe ban began yesterday in areas supplied by Yorkshire Water, which has affected more than 5.7million homes in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and North Lincolnshire. Yorkshire Water placed the ban on the use of hosepipes for activities such as watering the garden, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or ponds, or cleaning paths, walls or windows, in an attempt to protect water supplies in the face of yet more dry weather. Customers flouting the ban could face fines of up to £1,000, but the company has said 'we hope it won't come to that' as it urged households to help conserve water by sticking to the restrictions. The new ban comes after 80 firefighters were called to tackle a grass fire on Thursday in Rainham, Essex. 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. '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.'
Sky News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Sky News
Scotland and Wales record their hottest days of the year as UK-wide heatwave peaks
Scotland and Wales have recorded their hottest day of the year so far, as the third heatwave of the summer has hit its peak. In Aboyne and Aviemore in Scotland, temperatures have hit 30.8C In Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands, it has hit 29.8C - a Scotland hasn't experienced since June 2023. In Wales, a high of 32.4C has been recorded at Usk in Monmouthshire. Temperatures across England have been in the high 20s and low 30s, but not quite hot enough to break the country's record for 2025, which remains at 35.8C recorded in Kent at the beginning of July. Check the latest weather forecast here 2:17 The UK is currently experiencing its third heatwave of the year, and amber heat health alerts are in place for the Midlands and southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday. The alert warns of a potential rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Fire chiefs have warned people to stay safe, while cautioning of the increased risks 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. HM Coastguard also issued safety advice for people heading to the coast, saying data from the water incident database shows over the last three years most drownings occurred in July. While today is expected to be the hottest day of the weekend, it will remain "very warm" across the country on Sunday, the Met Office said. "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," meteorologist Greg 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." In addition to the amber alerts, the UK Health Security Agency also has yellow alerts in place until Monday for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and Humber. On Friday, Yorkshire Water brought in hosepipe restrictions, as part of efforts to protect supplies in the face of further dry weather forecast for the coming weeks. It means customers in Kent and Sussex are banned from using a hosepipe to water gardens and plants, clean vehicles, fill swimming pool or ponds or to clean paths, walls or windows, with anyone ignoring the ban potentially facing fines of up to £1,000.
Globe and Mail
19-06-2025
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
How wildfires are changing the way we think of summer
This year is off to a bad start for wildfires. To date, more than 40,000 people have had to evacuate their homes, and both Manitoba and Saskatchewan declared provincial states of emergency. Even people in communities thousands of miles from the fires have faced hazardous smoke. Temur Durrani has been covering this year's wildfires for The Globe. He joins us to talk about how wildfires in the summer have become the new normal and why fire chiefs are pushing for a more centralized approach to handling them. Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email us at thedecibel@
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Wayne Brown: Support for senior leaders after fire chief suicide
Staffordshire's chief fire officer has opened up about a lack of support for senior leaders in the service. In a public meeting, Rob Barber was asked about the death of Wayne Brown, who held the same role in the West Midlands. An inquest heard he had taken his own life in January last year after months of alleged harassment and questions over his qualifications. Mr Barber described Mr Brown as a "dear friend and colleague" and said work was being done to provide more help to officers in management roles. The fire chief said action was being taken alongside membership groups and charities to ensure assistance was available and people knew where to find it. "There has been an identification throughout the sector that many senior leaders have been struggling in terms of being able to access support when required," he said."Hopefully some positive can come out of a tragedy such as Wayne's passing. That will be a good thing for the sector." Ben Adams, Staffordshire's police, fire and crime commissioner, said he welcomed action taken on mental health and wellbeing by the National Fire Chiefs Council."We need to attract and retain the most talented leadership in the fire and rescue sector but unfortunately leaders quite often find themselves subjected to inexcusable and unwarranted personal abuse," he said. "During these times, the support of their peers or a professional network is vital." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
