THE hottest day EVER could hit this week as temperatures were set to soar to 39C and an Amber health alert warns Brits to “stay out of the sun”.
Today the UK will bake in highs of 32C as an African heatwave with sweltering humidity sweeps the UK for the first week of the school holidays.
The Met Office issued an amber heat alert – the second-highest level – for the east and south east of England as well as the East Midlands.
The forecasters warned of hot weather in south, central and eastern England – but there is a risk of thunderstorms in the south later.
The mercury is predicted to reach 32C in London today and is set to rise steadily until peaking at a steamy 39C on Thursday, with added humidity meaning it will seem even hotter.
Forecasters believe the high pressure could mean the previous high for July, which was 36.7C recorded at Heathrow on 1 July 2015, may be broken.
They believe there is a 30 per cent chance that Thursday’s heat could surpass the UK’s all-time record of 38.5C, set in Faversham in August 2003.
The NHS released its “top tips” to the public which included “drinking plenty of water” and “using high-factor sunscreen”.
Hayfever and asthma sufferers have been advised to stay indoors as the temperatures soar this week.
The record breaking predictions mean July is now odds on, at 4-6, to be the hottest since records began, according to bookmaker Coral.
On Wednesday, the warmest areas of southern Britain could reach 36C – and it could get even hotter still, raising fears of health problems for the elderly.
Even in the far north of England, temperatures could still hit the high 20s.
The hot weather can be traced back to the north from a plume of Saharan air which is already hitting parts of southern Europe causing dangerously hot weather.
While most will be enjoying the good weather on the first day of the school holidays, England’s most senior nurse has issued common sense advice.
This includes staying out of the midday sun and drinking lots of water to help prevent children and older people falling victim to the extreme heat.
Everyone can take simple steps to avoid fun in the sun turning in to a holiday in hospital.
Ruth May, Chief Nursing Officer
England’s chief nurse Ruth May has urged people to check on their neighbours as a heatwave hits parts of the UK for the start of the school summer holidays, while Asthma UK urged sufferers to keep up their medication.
She said: “Everyone can take simple steps to avoid fun in the sun turning in to a holiday in hospital.
“As millions of families kick off the long summer break, it’s really important to take common sense precautions and follow our NHS top tips like drinking plenty of water, using high-factor sunscreen and taking allergy medicine where it’s needed.
“The NHS will be there always for anyone who needs it, but everyone can help by checking in on vulnerable friends and neighbours, while making use of the free, convenient and helpful phone and online NHS services for minor illnesses, to help frontline staff provide care for those in emergency and serious need.”
“People should talk before they walk and join the hundreds of thousands getting fast and free advice on the best course of action for them from the NHS.uk website or 111 phone line.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
