The Met Office has issued a series of amber and red heat alerts this week as temperatures are set to rise close to 40C in some parts of the UK, with the RAC urging drivers without air conditioning to postpone non-essential journeys
An expert has spoken about driving in the UK this week (stock)(Image: CHUNYIP WONG via Getty Images)
Britain is being battered by a sweltering heatwave this week, with temperatures threatening to nudge close to 40C in some areas of the country. In response, the Met Office has issued a raft of amber and red heat warnings.
Britons are also being urged to keep their fluid intake up and remain vigilant for signs of heat-related illness brought on by the scorching conditions.
Some people may look to escape the heat by jumping into their car and cranking up the air conditioning. However, one motoring expert has cautioned drivers that even if their vehicle is available to them, they should think twice before getting behind the wheel this week.
In a statement published on the RAC‘s website, the organisation’s road safety spokesman Rod Dennis warned that motorists without air conditioning in their vehicles should consider putting off their journeys altogether.
Explaining his reasoning, he said: “Red extreme heat warnings are rare and we urge everyone to take them seriously this week. Drivers whose vehicles don’t have effective air conditioning should strongly consider postponing any non-essential car journeys until the Met Office’s weather warnings are lifted and temperatures drop.
“If this isn’t possible, our best advice is to travel during cooler times of day. This is especially important for anyone travelling with vulnerable people, including young children and older adults, who are at greater risk from the intense heat.”
Red heat warnings, set to take effect on Wednesday and Thursday this week, have been put in place owing to the exceptionally high temperatures forecast across the south and south-east of the UK.
Temperatures are expected to soar so dramatically that some forecasters believe records for June could be shattered. The current record for the hottest June day stands at 35.6C, set in Southampton in 1976 and in Camden Square, London, in June 1957.
The last time Britain endured a prolonged spell of temperatures reaching as high as 40C was roughly four years ago, in July 2022.
In a statement addressing the warnings, Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway made it clear that red warnings are not handed out lightly, and are reserved solely for the most extreme weather conditions.
He said: “Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat.
“The last time the UK recorded temperatures this high was in July 2022, but on this occasion the heat is expected to be accompanied by high humidity.”
Meanwhile, Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the United Kingdom Health Security Agency, added: “We are urging health and social care services across the country to ensure they are prepared.
“A red heat health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population, but simple actions like staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool can make a big difference.”