Page 8 | Met office RED WARNING for extreme heat.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 2022-07-15T09:39:22+00:00

General discussion is https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/weather/4583720-we-need-to-talk-about-the-weather-and-the-potential-for-extreme-heat but I wanted this to be seen by as many people as possible. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-07-18

ZeroFsKarma · 15/07/2022 13:54

I have autoimmune diseases and have never been able to cope with temperatures in the low 20s so I am dreading this. I get heatstroke quickly, my joints stiffen, hands swell up, I move slower, my skin buzzes and more besides which then takes several days to recover from. This week has been a nightmare as it is 😭

FullHousehere · 15/07/2022 13:54

I am in central London with a toddler at home for two days and no usable outdoor space. Not going to venture to the park even. Going to try to keep the house cool, have cool bath play and watch a lot of kids movies!

Lockheart · 15/07/2022 13:55

BrightYellowDaffodil · 15/07/2022 13:52

@Namechangenoidea You're not the only one wondering why the panic, the demand for Something To Be Done, the expectation that everything will be closed down. Covid has a lot to answer for when people seem to be left in a state of catastrophising over everything.

No the UK isn't set up for heat, but the idea that every hot country is full of wonderfully cool air-conned buildings is laughable. How many air con units do you think there are in an Indian slum when it's 45 degrees?

And, if I remember correctly, the Met Office warning system is a fairly new thing so the "FIRST RED WARNING" stuff is because it simply wasn't around before. You know, when it hit 42 degrees a few years ago.

Yes, it needs to be managed - which people can do themselves instead of running round like headless chickens - but it's not a national disaster.

I'd be very interested to know when and where it hit 42°, as the official UK record for highest temperature is 38.7°, recorded in July 2019.

Bunny2006 · 15/07/2022 13:56

The trains info is very useful to me thanks. I cannot work from home and my employer is still expecting me in (no air con) and my only option is public transport as I don't drive. I usually get the train and it's a 45 minute walk (rural location), wondering if trains will even be running. I'm pregnant (early) and dreading it, normally don't have a problem in the heat and have been abroad to hot countries but it's different with air con/pools etc as people have said. Here I am worried about leaving my pets while I travel to work for a 9 hour shift plus 1.5 hours journey!

JanuaryFebruaryMarch · 15/07/2022 13:58

BrightYellowDaffodil · 15/07/2022 13:52

@Namechangenoidea You're not the only one wondering why the panic, the demand for Something To Be Done, the expectation that everything will be closed down. Covid has a lot to answer for when people seem to be left in a state of catastrophising over everything.

No the UK isn't set up for heat, but the idea that every hot country is full of wonderfully cool air-conned buildings is laughable. How many air con units do you think there are in an Indian slum when it's 45 degrees?

And, if I remember correctly, the Met Office warning system is a fairly new thing so the "FIRST RED WARNING" stuff is because it simply wasn't around before. You know, when it hit 42 degrees a few years ago.

Yes, it needs to be managed - which people can do themselves instead of running round like headless chickens - but it's not a national disaster.

Haha

It's NEVER been 42 in the UK

BiasedBinding · 15/07/2022 13:59

I am a bit confused about some posters asking for blanket closing of schools etc - at least one school near me has air con, the chidkren will be much more comfortable in school. Same with my chidkren’s nursery. I’m guessing that as with snow days individual settings and workplaces will decide what is safest for their attendees

LuciferRising · 15/07/2022 13:59

Some people really don't understand the finer detail, do they?

BrightYellowDaffodil · 15/07/2022 14:00

I'm not going to give my location but yes, in 2019 I absolutely remember it being over 40. That may not be the "official" temperature but it was the one showing on all the weather websites/apps and it was extremely hot.

PaperTyger · 15/07/2022 14:00

People keep saying... wouldn't be without my mobile air con bit don't say which one.
If anyone has one they can recommend could they at me please.... Pretty please.

MarshaBradyo · 15/07/2022 14:00

BiasedBinding · 15/07/2022 13:59

I am a bit confused about some posters asking for blanket closing of schools etc - at least one school near me has air con, the chidkren will be much more comfortable in school. Same with my chidkren’s nursery. I’m guessing that as with snow days individual settings and workplaces will decide what is safest for their attendees

Ours isn’t closing. It’s a fairly good set up though with a big shaded area and paddling pools set up

Easy access in and out

QueenOfThorns · 15/07/2022 14:03

RagzRebooted · 15/07/2022 13:33

Haven't heard about ours yet. We're just south of the red zone, but the trip is to the NH museum in London. Coaches probably have aircon and the museum will likely be cool, so they may actually be better off... But the risks of no aircon/breakdown and delays do worry me.

Show quote history

Hmmm, we took DD to the NH museum a few years ago on a hot day and my most prominent memory is of how it was baking in there!

JinglingHellsBells · 15/07/2022 14:03

@Lockheart It's for 2 days. The heatstroke you mention will affect anyone silly enough to go out and sit in the sun, or not drink enough fluids, or not take any of the measures that are sensible.

The issue that warnings are given is because there are some of the population who are pretty dim and don't take sensible precautions.

(This week I saw an elderly, disabled woman (80s) in her motorised buggy , with what looked like her daughter walking alongside her, and she wasn't even wearing a sunhat and it was over 30C in the park.)

Many people will work from home as they are already. I expect many companies will make allowances if staff can't get to work safely, and they may also have invested in aircon.

I despair at how worked up people (usually younger who weren't around in the 10 week heat wave of 1976) get over 2 days of hot weather.

In 1976, water was rationed and people used standpipes. No one made a fuss. It went on for weeks and weeks. Former colleagues of mine were teaching in classrooms then.

xxcatcatcatxx · 15/07/2022 14:03

OhYouBadBadKitten · 15/07/2022 12:55

As you can imagine, I disagree. It will have been issued with a lot of debate about the impact of issuing this warning. The Level 4 heat warning is primarily aimed at agencies, especially health agencies, but also energy companies, rail network operators etc - in order that they will undertake actions as agreed under the Heatwave plan. It is the mechanism that launches these actions in a coordinated manner, headed up by the cabinet office.

Show quote history

So why would they issue it en mass? Could they not just have done a direct one? I am worried obv but can see where PP is coming from xxx

Lockheart · 15/07/2022 14:04

BrightYellowDaffodil · 15/07/2022 14:00

I'm not going to give my location but yes, in 2019 I absolutely remember it being over 40. That may not be the "official" temperature but it was the one showing on all the weather websites/apps and it was extremely hot.

Temperatures over 39° have never been recorded in the UK. If you have evidence which proves otherwise I suggest you get in touch with the Met Office for verification. Until then, stop spouting bollocks.

BiasedBinding · 15/07/2022 14:04

Haha people did complain in the 70s you just didn’t see it on the internet

Original poster

OhYouBadBadKitten · 15/07/2022 14:07

xxcatcatcatxx · 15/07/2022 14:03

So why would they issue it en mass? Could they not just have done a direct one? I am worried obv but can see where PP is coming from xxx

Show quote history

I'm sure those discussions are had. Have a look at how big the met office red warning area is. I suspect that national agencies could (in worst case scenario) be required, rather than just local agencies. This is a potentially a huge deal and would have too big an impact for it to be dealt with locally, so needs Cabinet oversight. Cabinet oversight would not be used for a local issue.

OP posts:

Theoneinthemiddle · 15/07/2022 14:07

I mean damn.

3WildOnes · 15/07/2022 14:08

BrightYellowDaffodil · 15/07/2022 14:00

I'm not going to give my location but yes, in 2019 I absolutely remember it being over 40. That may not be the "official" temperature but it was the one showing on all the weather websites/apps and it was extremely hot.

You are remembering wrong. Temperatures have never been modeled or forecast in the UK to hit 40, that is what makes this exceptional.

RosaMoline · 15/07/2022 14:08

Lockheart · 15/07/2022 13:44

If you do this though make sure you never use that hot water bottle for hot water again! Freezing compromises the bottle and if you fill it with a kettle at a later date you risk the bottle splitting and scalding you.

Show quote history

Duly noted!
thank you - I did not know that.

Livelovebehappy · 15/07/2022 14:08

It’s for two days. We will cope I’m sure…..

antelopevalley · 15/07/2022 14:09

I am in Scotland where it looks like we might finally get some warm weather.
The call for all schools to be closed is obviously nonsense. This is affecting part of the UK.

PaperTyger · 15/07/2022 14:09

Will thermal curtain's work? I was going to buy some for winter but they are on sale now so I'm thinking get them now?

Sallydimebar · 15/07/2022 14:14

“My friend is taking her young children to a theme park on Tuesday, forecast 39! I’ve tried to tell her to cancel/re-book but she’s still going. Absolute madness”

Neighbours son going theme park with school Tuesday, just told them to bring hat , shades and suncream .
she’s unsure what to do as said he will prob loose shades and hat as can’t wear them on rides and won’t bother about cream .
Its hard for the school I imagine as this is the 1st trip since covid so lots of excited kids and wouldn’t be able to rebook before hols .

Original poster

OhYouBadBadKitten · 15/07/2022 14:14

It's still clear that people just don't get it. The alert system isn't based on 'It's too hot moanometer' it has been drawn up around evidence based impacts.

Any thermometer recording over 40c in the past in the UK (with perhaps an exception on 25th July 2019) will either be a poor thermometer, one that has been badly sited, or one that hasn't been properly shielded.

OP posts:

notimagain · 15/07/2022 14:17

BrightYellowDaffodil · 15/07/2022 14:00

I'm not going to give my location but yes, in 2019 I absolutely remember it being over 40. That may not be the "official" temperature but it was the one showing on all the weather websites/apps and it was extremely hot.

Problem is there's pretty an official standard internationally improved method for recording air temperature which aims to reduce/prevent false readings produced by things like reflections, heat build up because the thermometer isn't fully ventilated, or is too near the ground, etc etc...

Met authorities around the world use figures from such sites when it comes to the data they publish...

A lot of the weather apps/websites also glean data from amateur stations dotted around the UK/globe but those stations carry no guarantees when it comes to accuracy.