If you’re stuck in an empty office while colleagues are in southern France, Turkey or Lanzarote, make sure you take a picture of a thermometer on Wednesday.
Britain is poised to be hotter than most of the Med, with the Met Office “likely” to issue a level 3 heatwave alert – which includes reviewing public safety at major events.
The heat won’t last long. Thunderstorms are predicted to strike western and northern parts in the afternoon, and temperatures will drop again on Thursday.
But while the mercury is high, how can you cope at work and home with the distinctly un-British weather?
What counts as a heatwave?
An average temperature of 30°C by day and 15°C overnight is considered high enough to trigger health warnings from the Met Office and Public Health England, especially if they are likely to last for at least two consecutive days.
Temperatures in the UK are expected to hit 33C this Wednesday – with London and the south-east getting the highest temperatures of the day.
But it’s not yet close to being a record-breaker. In August 2003, temperatures were the highest recorded in the UK, and rose to 38C during a nine-day heatwave.
How to deal with the heat
Hot summer days are a rarity in Britain, no one likes to be told they should be huddled inside. Mainly, the advice from PHE is just to be sensible.
- Cold beers don’t hydrate you - drink plenty of water and keep a bottle with you in case you feel unwell, especially on public transport.
- If you’re outside in the day, spend your time in the shade.
- Wear a hat in the sun, and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
- Eat normally, but salads and fruit can help you keep cooler.
- Stay out of the sun during the hottest parts of the day between 11am and 3pm – most of us will probably be at work then anyway.
Keeping the house cool
“We know people in Britain are actually quite well aware of how to keep themselves cool during the day,” said Angie Bone, who is in charge of extreme events and health protection at PHE. “What Brits can be really bad at, which people in southern Europe are really good at, is keeping environments cool.
“When it’s a sunny day, we throw open our doors and windows, and don’t realise that’s just letting the heat in. Then we might get back from work and wonder why the house is so hot and can’t sleep.”
PHE advises keeping windows shut and blinds or curtains closed while it’s at its hottest outside – and then open later when it gets cooler. Work out the coolest room in the house so you know where to go to chill out – or take a cold shower.
Can you ever drink too much water?
There are instances when people can drink too much water, and that “can be very dangerous”, Bone said. “We have seen it for example when people take ecstasy in nightclubs, or among professional sportspeople. But it is very unusual for normal people to drink so much it becomes dangerous.”
Unless you have a medical issues such as liver problems which might require limiting your fluid intake, just listen to your body, Bone advised. You should be able to tell when you’ve had the right amount to drink, and follow the NHS advice to drink around 1.6 litres of water a day.
Remember people who might be in difficulty
Make a phone call to friends and relatives who might be more vulnerable to heat, those who are elderly, sick, pregnant or with small children.
Normal healthy people will generally cope with hot temperatures, but the elderly, or those suffering from heart or lung conditions, or long-term illnesses such as Parkinson’s, might have more problems changing their clothing, keeping their homes cool or adapting how much water they drink.
“All of us will know someone who might have more difficulty coping with the heat,” Bone said. “Give them a call, check on them to see if they are having problems and help them adapt.”
Will it disrupt my day?
It might, because British offices and other workplaces can be unprepared for the hottest days, and because rail travel is likely to be affected.
There is a legal limit for working in cold temperatures, 16C, but there is no upper limit, probably because it doesn’t happen very often.
Trade unions are urging firms are being urged to let workers wear casual clothes during the heatwave. The TUC has asked employers to let workers wear shorts or vest tops, rather than jackets and ties.
It’s in employers’ interests, the TUC argue, because employees dressed in full suits working with no air conditioning are likely to feel very lethargic.
“Clearly vest tops and shorts are not suitable attire for all front line staff, but those not dealing with the public should be able to discard their tights, ties and suits,” said Frances O’Grady, TUC general secretary.
That’s if you can get to work. Network Rail has imposed a speed restriction on some services to stop the rails from buckling.
“As rails are made out of steel, they expand as they heat up and are subject to strong compression,” Network Rail said on its website. “This expansion has to be managed to reduce the risk of track buckling. If the track does buckle, the line must be closed and the track repaired before services can resume, causing considerable disruption. Usually, these repairs can’t be done until the temperature of the rails has dropped.”
First Great Western services in the Thames Valley area will be hit from midday to 8pm. “As a result there will be no fast trains between London Paddington and Bourne End or Henley-on-Thames from 12pm until 8pm on Tuesday,” a spokesman said, with earlier terminations on some services.
What should I do if I feel unwell?
If someone feels unwell, and you suspect they might have heat exhaustion, find a cool place where they can rest and encourage them to take a drink.
Heatstroke is a serious medical issue, and can develop if heat exhaustion is untreated, but it can also occur suddenly. Call 999 if you suspect someone has heatstroke, as it can lead to irreversible brain damage. In the 2003 heatwave, there were 2,000 to 3,000 excess deaths in England.
Symptoms of heatstroke are:
- headaches
- nausea
- hot, red and dry skin
- a sudden rise in temperature
- an intense thirst
- confusion and aggression
- loss of consciousness
