Weather LIVE: Northamptonshire sees hottest day in 138 years but record set to last just 24 hours as temperatures keep rising
The village of Pitsford, near Northampton, was officially one of the two hottest places in the UK on Monday (July 18) — but experts expect the county’s new temperature record of 38.2°C to be broken today … the UK has already seen 40°C for the first time EVER at Heathrow Airport … trains have been cancelled and people are being told to stay safe in “exceptional temperatures.” Refresh regularly and scroll down for the latest news…
Barbecues banned ... travel warnings .. waste collections cancelled .. Althorp Estate field on fire
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Davies says he has never seen weather charts like those coming through today.
BBC weather apps are now forecasting temperatures could reach 41°C 1 on Tuesday — smashing the current UK record temperature of 38.7°C.
Mr Davies said: “Tomorrow is the day we are very concerned about. There’s a good chance now of hitting 40 or 41 degrees Celsius.
“I’ve been a meteorologist for about 30 years, and I’ve never see the charts that I’ve seen today.
“As a meteorologist, to see the brutality of the heat that we’re expecting tomorrow is quite astounding.”
While temperatures peak in the mid-afternoon, Mr Davies warned of an exceptionally hot night tonight.
He warned: “Overnight I would recommend that in any way you can, you try to cool yourself down.”
Don’t worry if you see a gritter lorry going along ...
It’s not the heat got to you, in extreme heat Northants Highways spread sand to protect the highway from melting.
There is no snow coming!
Public Health Northamptonshire has these tips for safe during three days of extreme heat forecast for the county
How to keep cool in extreme heat
■ Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated
■ Stay hydrated, take water with you if you are out and about
■ Avoid travelling at peak times particularly with children, especially babies, or the elderly. Ensure you have enough water with you to cope with delays
■ Stay out of the sun when UV rays are strongest between 11am and 3pm
■ If you need to go out, stay in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat
■ Close curtains in rooms facing the sun. Remember, it could be cooler outdoors than indoors
■ Never leave anyone in a parked closed vehicle – especially not animals, children or babies
■ Avoid alcohol, it dehydrates you
■ Watch out around open water, unexpected cold or strong currents can catch out even experienced swimmers. Better to swim safely at one of the county’s organised events.
Sunday’s forecast from @NNweather
Don’t forget there is an AMBER warning for extreme heat from the Met Office today — it turns red at midnight!
Northampton firefighters tackled a grass fire which spread across three gardens on Saturday.
The blaze started while a resident was burning garden waste in the Spencer neighbourhood.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue said: “We urge you to not have fires during this spell of hot weather. It doesn’t take much to spread.”
Barbecues are banned in North Northants parks and woodlands until Wednesday
A spokesman for the council said: “The forecast of wildfire risk is showing as Level 5 - Exceptional until Tuesday. This means that wildfires, should they start, could spread quickly.
“To protect our visitors and green spaces, there is a ban on all barbeques in our parks and woodlands over this period. “
Also, garden waste bins won’t be collected on Monday or Tuesday in Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough or East Northants — North Northamptonshire Council has cancelled rounds on both days.