Britain is bracing for record-shattering heat next week, with temperatures expected to surge to 38C as a so-called “heat dome” moves in and the Met Office issues a fresh four-day Amber warning for extreme weather.
The national forecaster is predicting highs of 38C on Wednesday and Thursday, a level that would surpass the UK’s hottest June temperature on record — 35.6C, logged in Southampton in 1976 and at Camden Square in 1957.
Amber extreme heat alerts, initially in place for Monday and Tuesday, have now been widened to include Wednesday and Thursday. The warning covers large parts of southern England and Wales, the East and West Midlands, the South West and South East, and the East of England.
London is forecast to endure searing highs of 38C on both Wednesday and Thursday, while Birmingham is also expected to swelter, reaching 35C on Wednesday before climbing to 37C the following day.
There may be little relief after sunset, with forecasters warning of oppressive overnight conditions next week and “tropical nights” possible in places where temperatures fail to drop below 20C.
Humidity levels are also expected to be unusually high, with dew points — a measure of moisture in the air — forecast to hover around 22C on Wednesday and Thursday. That would exceed conditions seen during the record-breaking July 2022 heatwave, when dew points stayed in single digits.
The intensifying heat has prompted warnings over health risks for those most vulnerable to extreme temperatures, alongside wider concerns about heat-related illness across the population and a potential rise in water safety incidents.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has separately issued a heat health alert as temperatures climb, covering most of England from Monday morning through to Friday night.
Temperatures will climb to a record-breaking 38C next week as a ‘heat dome’ is set to hit Britain (Pictured: Crowds in Richmond, London, amid the heatwave)
The Met Office issuing a new four-day Amber warning for extreme heat
Highs of 38C have been forecast for Wednesday and Thursday in London, with Birmingham also set to reach 37C
Highs of 38C have been forecast for Wednesday and Thursday by the Met Office
A UKHSA yellow heat alert is also in place for north-east England during the same period.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Tom Crabtree, said the heatwave is ‘developing into an impactful severe weather event, with record breaking June temperatures and very high humidity.’
Mr Crabtree said: ‘The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies.
‘As well as very high daytime temperatures, there will be consecutive nights where temperatures do not drop below 20°C, which is called a Tropical Night.
EXCLUSIVE: Justin Gaethje Catholic? Religion Family Background
‘This will make it very hard for people to recover from the daytime heat, exacerbating the heat stress impacts.’
The scorching temperatures will also coincide with rising pollen levels across the country next week, with the Met Office predicting ‘very high’ counts from Sunday.
Pollen levels in London, southern England, the West Midlands, East Midlands, the North West and Wales will remain at the highest level from Sunday to Thursday, while a ‘high’ warning is in place for Yorkshire and the North East for most of next week.
In Britain, one in four adults and one in eight children suffer from hay fever – also known as allergic rhinitis – according to Allergy UK, with the symptoms often worsening during the hot summer months.
Pollen levels in London, southern England, the West Midlands, East Midlands, the North West and Wales will remain at the highest level from Sunday to Thursday
People sit in the shade during a hot day four of Royal Ascot at the Berkshire racecourse on Friday
On Sunday, NHS England confirmed visits to their website for hay fever advice has doubled amid the scorching temperatures, citing sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, as well as red, itchy, or watery eyes as among the most common symptoms.
The service said they recorded 12,990 visits to their NHS hay fever page from June 14 to 17 – when temperatures began to escalate – compared to 5,632 visits the previous week, totalling a rise of 131 per cent.
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said the warm weather can increase pollen levels that might cause ‘discomfort for hay fever sufferers’.
Mr Burton said: ‘Most people will be able to manage their symptoms with medication that is available off the shelf from community pharmacies and supermarkets, and the NHS website has more advice on how to deal with the discomfort.’
However, he warned: ‘People should be careful not to double dose on medication which might make them drowsy particularly if planning to drive.’
And as the heatwave continues to take over Britain, many hay fever sufferers have taken to social media to document how uncomfortable their symptoms can be during the hot weather.
One TikTok user made a video saying: ‘I don’t think people realise how much hay fever actually ruins your quality of life in the summer.
‘My eyes are squinted, tissue in hand, my nose won’t stop running – I’ve gone through about two packs of tissues today already and it’s not even lunchtime.
‘I am just fed up, to be honest.’
The video – which was posted last week – was met with agreeing comments. One user said ‘It’s awful,’ while another added: ‘I was literally bedridden all weekend & couldn’t breathe it was sooo bad.’
Amid the rising temperatures, the Met Office has recommended that hay fever sufferers ‘plan ahead and take a few simple precautions’ on days that pollen levels are predicted to be particularly high.
The agency advices hay fever sufferers to treat early symptoms using antihistamines to prevent a full flare-up, and to use corticosteroid nasal sprays to help itchy red eyes, a runny nose, swollen sinuses and sneezing.
It also suggests taking practical steps to minimise exposure, such as removing outdoor clothing and shower or wash your hair after high pollen exposure, keeping windows shut at night and avoiding keeping flowers in your home.
