Much to (almost, but not everyone, hey Lucy!) everyone's delight, temperatures across England and Wales are expected to climb into the high 20s and low 30s over the coming days, with bank holiday Monday shaping up to be the hottest May day ever recorded in the UK. That means a very warm weekend ahead here in Gnosall and across Staffordshire.
Record temperatures possible
Sunday could see parts of the south Midlands reach 30C, and by bank holiday Monday, temperatures in south-east England may touch 33C - which would beat the current May record of 32.8C, set back in 1944. While our part of Staffordshire is unlikely to hit those extremes, we can still expect plenty of sunshine and very warm conditions throughout the weekend and into next week.
Heatwave conditions expected
Much of England is set to officially enter heatwave territory, meaning temperatures will exceed 26-28C for three or more consecutive days. The Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have taken the unusual step of issuing heat health alerts early - they are normally only issued from June onwards. Five areas of England are under amber alerts, with the rest of the country, including our region, on yellow alert, valid until 5pm on Wednesday.
Stay safe in the heat
The UKHSA is urging everyone to take sensible precautions. Here are some key tips:
- Stay hydrated - drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Avoid being out in the sun during the hottest part of the day, typically between 11am and 3pm
- Keep your home cool by closing blinds and windows during the day
- Use sunscreen, cover up and seek shade when outdoors
- Check on elderly neighbours, young children and anyone with health conditions
High UV levels too
It is not just the heat to watch out for. UV levels are expected to reach 7 out of 11 across much of England and Wales on Sunday and Monday, which is unusually high for late May. That means sunburn can happen much more quickly than you might expect, so sunscreen is a must if you are heading outside.
Source: bbc.co.uk
