Heatwave Is ‘Risk To Life'

Sizzling UK will be hotter than Hawaii

- Chris Riches

AN extremely rare “danger to life” warning has been issued as Britain heads for its hottest day in history.

Temperatures could top 104F (40C) this weekend, according to several weather forecasting models, the Met Office said.

Issuing the amber weather warning for Sunday and Monday, it said the heat could lead to “potential serious illness or danger to life”.

It said “exceptionally high temperatures are possible from Sunday” and “could lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure”. The fear is this could spark a national health crisis as well causing major travel disruption plus a loss of gas, water and electricity.

The Met Office warned that “population-wide adverse health effects are likely” with “substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required”.

The Met Office added: “Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only – seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice.”

The past few days have left us wilting from a ‘Spanish surge’ – with the sizzling sunshine spreading from the Iberian Peninsula.

Temperatures soared yesterday to 89.6F at Northolt in west London.

Parts of the UK this week will be hotter than Hawaii, Jamaica, the Maldives and the Bahamas with 91F expected today, 84F on Wednesday, 82F on Thursday, 81F on Friday and 88F on Saturday.