UK records highest temperature this year at 32.7 degrees

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
9 Sep 2023 22:06

An amber heat health alert has been issued by the UK Health Authorities as those aged above 65 or with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular disease are at a greater risk.

People sit on deckchairs on dry grass in the sunshine in Hyde Park in central London on June 8, 2023. (AFP)

The Met Office revealed on Saturday that the temperature in the UK has surpassed the highest this year at 32.7°C at Heathrow, beating the previous high of 32.6°C on Thursday.

This is the first time that the heatwave in England and Wales hit higher than 30°C for five days in a row in September, as per the Met Office. Forecasters added that an “increasing signal for a thundery breakdown for some later in the weekend” is due.

An amber heat health alert, which alerts that the impact of weather will likely be felt across the health service, was issued by the UK Health Authorities as those aged above 65 or those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular disease are at a greater risk.

East Wales, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Manchester, Nottingham, and Oxford were issued a yellow warning by the Met Office from 2 pm to 9 pm, while the same was issued for Northern Ireland, northern parts of England and Wales, as well as southern Scotland for Sunday between 2 pm and 11.59 pm.

The warnings indicate an impending possible danger of flash flooding, lightning strikes, hail, or strong winds, with possible interruptions to road and public transport access.

London mayor Sadiq Khan issued a “high” air pollution alert for London as the first since June as he urged residents to stop idling their engines and avoid burning wood or garden waste.

Experts stated that the UK is expected to return to better and cooler weather next week with sunshine, showers, and some windy conditions in store as temperatures go back to the average for the time of year being.

This comes after the UN climate agency said on Wednesday that the globe has experienced its warmest summer on record since 1940, with estimates indicating that both July and August were approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than pre-industrial levels.

"Earth just had its hottest three months on record... Global sea surface temperatures are at unprecedented highs for the third consecutive month and Antarctic sea ice extent remains at a record low for the time of year," the World Meteorological Organization said.