The United Kingdom is set to experience a dramatic increase in temperatures over the next few days. Most of the northern tier is poised to reach the mid to high 20s. This heatwave is expected to last until Saturday, bringing warmer conditions for most, while parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland will see similar peaks.
Particularly in southern and eastern England, they should reach the low thirties. Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales will be considerably cooler, with highs only reaching 16°-20°C during the day. While the upcoming heatwave continues to be a dangerous prospect, it brings new opportunities and greater understanding available for UK residents.
The warm spell continues, so wherever you are, enjoy what’s shaping up to be an unseasonal treat. For everyone else, that will not be the case. In particular, if you’re in the eastern half of the UK, keep hoping for hot weather—even into the weekend. The west could see some eruptions of thundery showers during Saturday. Any called-for rain in the west would likely have a cooling influence, while the east will still be bathing in warm air.
The UK Government had issued guidance enforcing indoor workplaces to maintain a reasonable temperature range during working hours. This is in answer to the extreme heat. This new guideline is part of ensuring that workers are safe and comfortable during this ongoing heatwave.
“During working hours the temperature in all indoor workplaces must be reasonable.” – UK Government website
Schools throughout the country are being forced to stay open even under heatwave conditions. Benin’s government rightly argues that school is the best place for children’s safety, health, and holistic development.
To better tolerate extreme heat, researchers urge realistic approaches like introducing mechanical fans to achieve suprathermal indoor temperatures of less than 35°C. Additionally, opening windows overnight or in the early morning can help release trapped daytime heat, allowing for a cooler environment during the day.
