THE Met Office has extended its amber heatwave warning to cover more of Scotland on Monday and Tuesday.
Previously, the amber warning covered large areas of southern Scotland. Areas now covered by the warning - which was updated on Sunday morning - include all of Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, Perth, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and eastern parts of Lanarkshire, as well as the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway.
Some are forecasting temperatures of up to 33C to 34C in the Borders, and 31C in Edinburgh on Tuesday. Forecasters are predicting the UK could be set to break 40C for the first time on record.
To date, temperatures in the UK have never been recorded to have hit 39C. The highest temperature on record, 38.7C, was reached at Cambridge Botanic Garden on July 25, 2019.
BBC meteorologist Matt Taylor said he “never thought this would be possible so soon”, adding that high temperatures could have “massive impacts to health, to travel as well, and also to potential power”.
To answer the “it’s summer!” brigade 40C is NOT normal for the UK 25C by night is NOT normal UK infrastructure’s not built for it Heatwaves are among the most dangerous of natural hazards Heat records are becoming more frequent 7 out of 10 hottest UK days have been since 2003 https://t.co/92mwOiEgf1
— Matt Taylor (@MetMattTaylor) July 15, 2022
The UK Health Security Agency recently also increased its heat health warning from level three to level four – declaring a “national emergency”.
Level four is reached “when a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system ... at this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups,” it said.
Fire brigades, including Scottish Fire and Rescue, South Wales Fire And Rescue Service, and the London Fire Brigade, have issued safety warnings, urging people to act responsibly.
Secretary for Justice Keith Brown said: “We are aware of the extension to the weather warnings currently in place and are receiving regular updates from partners including the Met Office and emergency services. Our resilience arrangements have been activated and stand ready at all times to coordinate a response to severe weather issues where required. We will continue to closely monitor developments.
“When temperatures increase, it’s important to monitor forecasts and follow public health advice, including staying hydrated and drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding excess alcohol.
“I would also urge people to look out for vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, as older people, those with underlying conditions and those living alone may struggle to keep cool and hydrated.
“Water safety incidents and drownings increase in hot weather and people should be aware of the dangers and use supervised beaches and pools when possible – follow the Water Safety Code and in an emergency call 999.
“If you are planning on travelling to the areas covered by the red warning, you should be prepared for significant disruption, and may want to consider delaying your travel. If you decide to travel, you should prepare appropriately, and keep-up to date with travel alerts.”
