Temperatures are set to hit 40°C in parts of the UK this week, the Met Office has warned, as a rare red weather warning comes into force for large swathes of England and Wales. The warning, covering Wednesday and Thursday, comes as a deadly heatwave gripping Europe has already forced France to close hundreds of schools and ban outdoor alcohol drinking in some regions.
In the UK, one Surrey hospital has declared a critical incident, while South East Water has urged customers in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to limit water use to essential purposes only. A number of schools are expected to close early, and millions of homeowners are facing calls to restrict water usage as the mercury is forecast to soar beyond 37°C in many areas.
“Met Office issues rare red weather warning as temperatures set to hit 40°C across England and Wales.”
The Met Office’s red warning, the highest level, indicates a high risk of serious illness or danger to life for the entire population, not just the vulnerable. The extreme heat and humidity are expected to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures potentially reaching 40°C in some locations.