Gabriella Ferlita
If you hadn’t already noticed, we’re in the midst of a pretty damn hot heatwave right now.
And the temperature is only expected to go up from here, with record-breaking highs possibly hitting the UK on Monday.
In fact, The Met Office has now increased its amber ‘danger to life’ weather warning from Sunday 17 June into Monday 18 June.
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The Met Office has warned that some of its models have predicted temperature in excess of 40°C, smashing the UK's current record high temperature of 38.7°C, recorded at Cambridge Botanic Garden on 25 July 2019.
Despite record-breaking highs being a ‘low probability', on Monday Greater London is expected to reach 34°C, whilst Greater Manchester is expected to hit highs of 31°C and those in Cardiff may see highs of 28°C .
Meanwhile, the Met Office also reports the high temperatures ‘may last into Tuesday in places’.
This amber warning for extreme heat means it ‘could lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure’.
“Some exceptionally high temperatures are possible and cumulative effects of warm nights and hot days are expected to bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure,” the forecaster's website reads.
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The Met Office also added in a statement: “Some models have been producing maximum temperatures in excess of 40°C in parts of the UK over the coming weekend and beyond.
“At longer time scales temperature forecasts become less reliable, so whilst these figures can’t be ruled out, they are still only a low probability. A number of weather scenarios are still possible and at the current time, mid- or perhaps high-30s are looking more likely.”
This weather warning comes as the UK could be on the brink of its first-ever level four heatwave, which poses a serious risk to life and health.
This level of heat is classified as a ‘national emergency’, meaning that not only do people need to be careful when enjoying the sunshine - some could actually be at risk of death due to the weather.
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The Daily Express reported that the government have called a COBRA meeting to discuss declaring the UK's first-ever level four heatwave and officially labelling the hot weather a national emergency.
The Met Office previously issued an extreme heat warning for England and Wales as they warned of 'exceptionally high temperatures' hitting the UK.
They have stated that the current heatwave poses a 'danger to life' not just limited to those who would normally be suffering from the heat.