With temperatures expected to reach 28C (82.4F) this afternoon and one of the longest heatwaves Britain has seen in years, sunbathers are flocked to the country’s beaches and parks.
In order to take advantage of the beginning of a hot spell for the UK, Britons are anticipated to spend their weekends sitting on the beaches and in green areas throughout England and Wales as the temperature is expected to reach 28C (82.4F) in the south east this afternoon.
This weather is warmer than popular tourist destinations like Mykonos, where the temperature was 23C (73.4F), and Split, where it was 24C. (75F).
But the warm and sunny weather on Saturday is just the beginning; temperatures will continue to rise until they peak on Monday and Tuesday at a scorching 32C. (89.6F).
The NHS Sheffield Foundations Trust has advised UK parents to keep children out of the sun and to wear light clothing if they must be outside during one of the hottest spells on record.
People have been enjoying the sunshine across the nation on Saturday, including festival goers who have traveled to Scotland’s TRNSMT Festival on Glasgow Green, which began yesterday and concludes on Sunday.
To stay hydrated, make sure your kids drink plenty of water. Remember that it’s advisable to drink in moderation and frequently, they stated in a Twitter thread.
“Don’t let your kids spend a lot of time in the sun, and never leave them in a hot car.” It’s crucial to find cool spots to rest in the shade.
Children should wear lightweight clothes that protects as much of their skin as possible when they are outside in the sun.
“Make sure they are covered in a high factor sun cream even if they are covered up.”
They said that if this occurs, the kid should be taken into a shady area that is as cold as possible.
They also recognized the first indicators of a youngster who is overheating, becoming cranky or complaining of a headache: “Take off whatever you can, bring them some water to drink, and get them some rest.”
In advance of the heatwave, the UK Health Security Agency issued a Level 3 heat-health notice, an upgrade from the previous Level 2 alert.
The new warning is in effect from 9 a.m. on Monday through 9 a.m. on Friday.
The East of England, South East, and London are all included in the Level 3 notice, which cautions British citizens to “watch out for others, especially older individuals, small children, and babies, as well as those with underlying health concerns.”
According to forecasts, UV levels will range from high to very high for many people in the UK.
The maximum UV index in the UK is level 8, which is present on this sunny Saturday afternoon in Exeter, Cambourne, Newtown, Peterborough, Dover, Birmingham, and London.
Among the UK cities having a high level 8 UV rating for Saturday are Manchester, Dumfries, Caernarfon, Newcastle Upon Tyne, York, and Edinburgh.
The Met Office tweeted on the weather this weekend: Many people will experience an extremely warm weekend. Remember to use sunscreen because the sun is powerful.
In light of the heat wave, the animal welfare organization RSPCA has provided advise to dog owners: “Dogs lose heat through panting, can only sweat through their paws, and are at significant danger of developing heatstroke.”
The best advice for keeping dogs cool during the summer, according to some, is to give them access to shade and water, take them for walks in the early morning or late evening, apply pet-safe sunscreen to their noses and ear tips, and never leave them in a car, caravan, conservatory, or outbuildings during the hotter months.
Additionally, it advises people to “drink enough of fluids, avoid excessive alcohol, dress correctly for the weather, and slow down when it is hot” in addition to “close curtains on rooms that face the sun to make indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.”
Level 2 is described as “alert and preparedness,” while Level 3 is “heatwave action.”
The final week of term sports days at schools may need to be rescheduled, according to Red Cross climate manager Maarten van Aalst, who also advised parents to keep kids “in a cool area” like a forest or pool.
Greg Dewhurst, a meteorologist with the Met Office, told MailOnline that the standard advice for heatwaves still holds true: keep children and adults out of the sun between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
In addition, he advised staying inside during the hottest part of the day and drinking lots of water.
The majority of the UK will have lots of sunlight this weekend due to a high pressure system, with some cloud coverage expected in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
It appears that the pressure will continue early next week, he said. It might start to cool off on Tuesday and Wednesday when temperatures drop and the rest of the week is calmer.
Tomorrow will be very similar to today, when it was 28C (82.4F), with plenty of sunlight and a high temperature of around 30C (86F).
After this weekend, temperatures in some areas of the south and south-east of England might reach 32C (89.6F) on Monday, 33C (91.4F) on Tuesday, and 31C (87.8F) on Wednesday.