The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for extreme heat across parts of England and Wales, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 40C – a level that could break the UK record of 40.3C set in July 2022. The red alert, which comes into force on Wednesday and lasts until 9pm on Thursday, warns of a “population-wide risk of serious illness or danger to life,” according to the Met Office. Amber warnings are already in place from Monday to Thursday across a wider area of southern England.
Already, the heat is taking its toll on the nation’s roads. The RAC has reported that breakdown callouts have increased by around 20% today compared with a typical Monday in late June. RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis urged drivers to take the warning seriously: “Red extreme heat warnings are rare and we urge everyone to take them seriously this week. Drivers whose vehicles don’t have effective air conditioning should strongly consider postponing any non-essential car journeys until the Met Office’s weather warnings are lifted and temperatures drop.”
“Met Office issues red heat warning for 40C; RAC says breakdowns up 20% as AA warns of gritters on roads.”
The AA has warned that the heat could even bring out gritters – typically associated with winter ice – to deal with softened or sticky road surfaces. AA president Edmund King said: “The main risk for drivers is not that the road suddenly ‘melts’ everywhere, but that patches can become tacky or uneven. That can affect braking, steering and grip, especially for motorcyclists and cyclists, and can also throw up loose material.” He advised drivers to slow down and avoid harsh braking if they encounter damaged surfaces. The AA also cautioned that under-inflated or old tyres are more likely to fail in hotter conditions.
Rod Dennis added that this week “could end up being a record-breaking one for June – not just because of the heat, but also for the number of drivers breaking down.” He urged patience: “The heatwave will affect services right across the UK and while all patrols will be working incredibly hard to assist drivers, longer waits are more likely.”
The extreme heat follows an already record-breaking month, with the Met Office stating that this is the first time since 1911 – 115 years ago – that two consecutive months have observed record temperatures. A doctor, A&E consultant Dr Ahmed, has warned against taking off shirts as a cooling method, saying it could increase the risk of heatstroke. The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a red heat health alert for the first time.
As the country braces for the hottest days on record, the message from the RAC and AA is clear: pack water, check your tyres, and if your car lacks air conditioning, travel only when it’s cooler. And never leave pets or people in parked cars – even for a moment.