The Met Office has issued a warning about overnight heat causing homes to remain very warm, exacerbated by high levels of humidity.
The UK is currently experiencing a heatwave with record-breaking temperatures and red alert warnings in effect. Forecasters note that this heatwave feels more intense than previous ones due to unique conditions.
According to the Met Office, the concern this week extends beyond daytime temperatures to include warm and humid nights, making it challenging for both people and buildings to cool down.
Meteorologist Aiden McGivern highlighted the significant impact of elevated nighttime temperatures and high humidity levels, preventing buildings and homes from cooling effectively.
McGivern emphasized the role of humidity in altering how the heat is perceived, particularly when combined with high temperatures. He stressed that the heat index, rather than just the thermometer readings, is a major concern due to its potential severe impacts.
With consecutive days of high temperatures, the prolonged heat poses challenges for sleeping and heat retention in buildings. The current extreme conditions are attributed to a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe, affecting the UK as well.
The hottest temperatures are expected on Wednesday and Thursday with red Met Office warnings in place, along with an additional amber warning for Friday due to the extreme heat and humidity levels.
The Met Office warned that the combination of extreme heat and humidity could lead to health risks, impact infrastructure, and cause issues in various sectors like transport and energy supply. Increased water safety incidents are also anticipated during the heatwave as more people are likely to visit water bodies.
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