The heatwave is causing havoc for thousands across the UK as people struggle to adapt to extreme heat conditions. Infrastructure is also buckling under the pressure of unusually high heat.
Luton Airport was forced to cancel flights as its runway melted in severe heat yesterday (Monday, July 18). The airport confirmed a surface defect on the runway caused flights to be temporarily suspended "to allow for an essential runway repair after high surface temperatures caused a small section to lift".
Seeing roads melting may not be commonplace in the UK - for now. However if heatwaves become a frequent occurrence, as is widely believed to be the case, service providers need to forward plan to prevent tarmac melting in future.
Read more: UK heatwave cancels Edinburgh trains to London as forecast causes travel chaos
Why does tarmac melt?
Today, the temperature topped 40C for the first time in the UK, leaving swathes of the country sweltering amidst a red weather warning. These high temperatures can be gruelling for tarmac that was previously thought strong and stable in any other weather.
Tarmac is a viscoelastic material, meaning it can change back to its liquid form in temperatures of 50C. Although the air temperature in the UK is not expected to rise above 42C, tarmac feels the heat more, due to prolonged bouts of direct sunlight and the tarmac's traditional darker colour raising the temperature higher.
According to the AA, the surface of the road itself can be as much as 20 degrees hotter than the air temperature, which is normally measured in the shade and above the ground. So, if the temperature where you are today is 30C, the temperature of the tarmac could be 50C.
What to do if you come across a melted tarmac road
Melted tarmac will feel as if you are driving through soft, sticky fudge. As vehicles pass over the soft mass, the road will develop ridges as cars leave indentations in the surface.
Some areas are treating roads with gritters spreading stone dust to soak up the melted tar. If you suddenly realise you are driving over a melted tarmac road, don't panic.
You may hit a bad patch without warning, so drive with more caution than usual and reduce your driving speed. Your braking and steering will also be affected.
You also run the risk of your car tyres being coated with tarmac which could further damage your car, so if you can, avoid driving in the heatwave.
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