Dominic Smithers
In case you hadn't noticed, it's bloody roasting out there.
The past week has seen the mercury soar across the UK, with record temperatures expected to hit over the coming days.
As a result, the Met Office was forced to issue a red heat warning for England between Monday (18 July) and Tuesday (19 July) next week.
This is the first time such a warning has ever been declared in the UK, with people urged to take precautions during the bout of hot weather.
Advert
The concern surrounding the heat has led some to propose an 'emergency bank holiday' for next Monday and Tuesday so that people can stay safe and avoid packing onto trains and buses for work.
I mean, I'm sold.
Writing on Twitter, one user said: "It’s going to be 35 degrees in Bradford next Tuesday and I am dreading it already. Can someone give us an emergency Bank Holiday please?"
Advert
Backing the idea, another asked: "Emergency bank holiday for the heatwave so no one has to work?"
"Can we have Monday as an emergency bank holiday please?" wrote a third.
While another added: "It's never going to happen cos of, you know, money, but the government really ought to make Tuesday an emergency bank holiday."
Sadly, I think they're probably right about the 'never going to happen' stuff, so don't hold your breath.
According to the Met Office, next week could see temperatures in England reach 40C for the first time ever.
Advert
Currently, the hottest temp on record in the UK is 38.7C, which was recorded in Cambridge on 25 July, 2019.
Speaking about the recent heatwave, Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said there was a good chance we will see it beaten.
"Exceptional, perhaps record-breaking temperatures are likely early next week, quite widely across the red warning area on Monday, and focussed a little more east and north on Tuesday," he said.
"Currently there is a 50 percent chance we could see temperatures top 40C and 80 percent we will see a new maximum temperature reached."
Advert
You may be pleased to know, however, that experts believe it will begin to calm down a touch after Tuesday.
However, some parts of the country could remain pretty toasty, so the official advice is to try and stay in the shade as much as possible, especially during the peak hours of sunlight between 11am and 3pm.