The return of scorching hot weather is set to bake much of England and Wales in particular this week, as the Met Office confirms heatwave conditions will arrive for various parts of the country within days. Temperatures are set to hit a scorching 33C on Tuesday and 30C again on Friday according to the latest Met Office forecasts for London, though similar patterns of high temperatures are being forecast across much of the UK.
Consequently, everyone who needs to keep their house cool will be looking for ways to keep the heat out, which experts advise includes closing curtains in the peak of the hot weather. On Tuesday, August 12, conditions are set to peak at a blistering 33C in London as well as several other parts of the UK, according to the latest forecast. Temperatures will then dip down to 29C on Wednesday and Thursday and slightly rise again back to 30C by Friday.
Due to typical British homes being designed to retain heat for our generally mild climate and chilly winters, our homes are ill-prepared for extreme heat, quickly turning into uncomfortably hot and humid sweat boxes.
And for the very young and very old, 30C can be a big problem. The NHS along with The Lullaby Trust says in its guidance on temperatures for babies and young children: “A room temperature of 16–20C is ideal for your baby, when growing up in the UK. This feels quite cold to a lot of people, so using a room thermometer can help check the temperature. If you are using light bedding such as sheets and blankets, they should be tucked in carefully with no loose ends that could obstruct your baby’s breathing. Similarly, baby sleeping bags should be well fitted, especially around the neck and arms.”
Official guidance also warns that excessively high indoor temperatures can pose serious health risks, including the threat of heat stroke.
Advice previously issued by energy supplier British Gas tells households how they can cut the heat from building up in their house by closing curtains during the day.
It says, in its advice on how to keep your house cool in hot weather: “Tempting as it might be to throw your windows open during a heatwave, leaving them shut when the day is at its hottest will keep the house cool. So try to only let the air in early, or late, in the day.
“Light coloured blinds and curtains made of a weightier fabric offer the best heat-blocking potential, so go for these if you’re thinking of updating yours – but keep hold of any darker ones that you replace, so you can switch back once the temperature drops to keep the heat in. Keep these closed during the day too to keep your house cool in summer.”
British Gas also stresses that households can close and open doors tactically. It says: “If you’re using a fan, closing off unused rooms during the day will keep the house cool in summer by focusing your cooling efforts where you’ll feel them the most. Similarly, opening your doors in the evening will get the air flowing and stop your home feeling stuffy.”
As well as keeping your house cool, keeping yourself cool is important. It adds: “Wear loose, lightweight clothing made of natural fibres like cotton and linen. Use an icepack, chilled hot water bottle or cold cloth on your wrists and feet for an instant cold hit. And if it’s really stuffy inside, consider a dehumidifier. It’ll pull the moisture out of the air and let your skin breathe better.”
The Met Office UK forecast for this week says: “A combination of high pressure and a southerly airflow will see temperatures rise for much of England and Wales in the first half of the week, with temperatures reaching in excess of 30°C for some on Monday and likely peaking towards the mid-30s in London on Tuesday.
“Met Office heatwave criteria, where a specific threshold must be exceeded for three consecutive days, are likely to be reached by Wednesday for much of southern and central England.”
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tom Crabtree said: “Warmth is the focus in the forecast in the first half of this week, with temperatures likely to peak on Tuesday around the mid-30s, but remaining above average in the second half of the week, particularly further to the southeast.
“The exception to the widely warm conditions will be northwest Scotland on Monday, where showers will be more frequent. Warmth will develop there from Tuesday with temperatures peaking in the mid to high 20s.”