Met office RED WARNING for extreme heat.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

General discussion is 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.
www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-07-18

Thanks for your threads and all your good information OYBBK

Same!!! Grateful to be working when it’s cooler but dreading sleeping during the day!

The other point re the thermometer is that if it recorded over 40C in the past then it will almost certainly go quite a bit above 40C if that is its calibration in comparison with official records. So maybe that person can give themselves permission to be a teensy bit worried if they think about it that way.

The FT article in that Twitter link is interesting, drawing parallels between deaths in France's 2003 heatwave, and the UK's in 1976, with the deaths from Covid.

The 'it's called summer' crowd should probably read that.

We have a portable air conditioning unit that blows out cold air - right into your face & down your whole body if you're have it pointing at your chair. You fill it with water and you can put the water in the freezer first to cool it down more. My DH got it for his garden office. I appreciate they're not cheap but we've had it for more than 10 years and it's a godsend when the heat is too much. Especially for the dog who lies on her cold mat in front of it.

@papertyger we have this one www.electriq.co.uk/p/a1%2Fsilent10/electriq-a1silent10 it says it's silent but still makes a noise. We bought it about 4 years ago and it's been a godsend in the bedroom. This one is out of stock but you may find it somewhere 😃

My children have pre-existing health conditions. So do I. Your post is disablist. You would not get away with saying only black people will suffer. Why is it ok to dismiss thousands of people as if they do not matter.

The peak temperature in the 1976 heatwave was only 35.9 not 40 like we are looking at now.

There seems to be a general consensus that the U.K. will suffer more than other countries when experiencing high temps due to other places being ‘prepared’. I’m currently in Marrakech - 43 degrees. The only prep here in place for the heat is air con for those lucky enough to afford them. Otherwise people just carry on with their days, sweating in unbearable temps, not just for two days, but for months. I’m lucky enough that I’m on holiday so can retire to my air conditioned hotel room when I get too hot, but there are obviously many poor people who live here, and employees in the hotels, who survive the heat. People just need to be sensible and not get into panic mode. We only have to look at how ‘panic’ panned out during the early covid days, to know what’s going to happen if some out there start to play on peoples anxieties.

I am really not looking forward to coping in the heat with my 6month old baby. Poor thing was covered in heat rash earlier this week!

Why do people think that a red warning due to heat is different to a red warning due to snow/ice or high winds? The red warning is given because the weather is dangerous.

Secondary school have just messaged to say they are aware that there is a heat warning in place (in a tone that suggests they want parents to stop asking) and that sports day will be taking place as planned 🙄. We're just on the edge of the 40 ... looking at 38ish.

In 1976, water was rationed and people used standpipes. No one made a fuss.

Of course they did. It just wasn't so obvious because the Internet wasn't a thing.

People did make a fuss about the drought in 1976 - that’s why they still go on about it. And it was more that it was an extended dry period rather than extremely hot.

My children have pre-existing health conditions. So do I. Your post is disablist. You would not get away with saying only black people will suffer. Why is it ok to dismiss thousands of people as if they do not matter

It's shit, isn't it?

And those critically vulnerable to covid have been on the receiving end of this shit for a couple of years now, when people started to be bold enough to state overtly that some people's lives don't matter much

(People are also a bit thick, or a bit careless, as they've either not understood or not bothered to read what the Met Office has stated abut the risk extending beyond the vulnerable0

Our primary has cancelled the summer Fete next week which is very sensible under the circumstances. They will not however renege on their recent ban on children having their water bottles at play times. The whole school can share two water fountains that pour out warm water and probably help spread Covid like wildfire.

Feeling sorry for all vulnerable groups next week in England. Far too hot.

I reckon in 50 years’ time it will be all “no one complained during the 2020-22 covid pandemic!”

Parents need to stop "asking" and start "telling". There is a red weather warning so the school needs to cancel or postpone the sports day. Ask if they'd go ahead in snow or high winds, and when they say no, ask why this red weather warning is any different. The Met Office doesn't give them out like confetti. I'd simply say my child would not be attending.

And to answer the constant questions about hot countries, this says it better than I can:

Aiden McGivern, a meteorologist, said that people should take the heat seriously. “You might be thinking, ‘I can cope with these kind of temperatures. People go on holiday to Spain and cope with these kinds of temperatures. Why can’t we?’ The fact is in the UK we’re not used to these kinds of temperatures. They rarely if ever happen. We know from previous heatwaves the kinds of impacts they can cause to people’s health . . . even to fit and healthy people.”

yes and gardeners. I e-mailed my garden maintenace guys to say they need not come on Monday and the owner e-mailed back to say they would be here as usual.

I have to admit to being worried. I'm asthmatic and diabetic (overweight too) and have to walk 20 minutes to and from work. I struggled on Monday, so I have no idea how I'll manage next week. Employer is still expecting us to go in, no matter how hard it is.

For the record, I've never holidayed in a hot country because I know my limitations, bit different when the heat comes to you

We had 40 in May (not uk)
My kitten loved playing with ice cubes. Apparently it helps to cool animals down through their paws and noses

I can remember living in Cheltenham in 1990 when it hit 37.1. Had to go to work and just felt like I was a dead weight all afternoon. I had arrangements to stay with friends that evening and as I opened front door (had a key) they shouted to just ignore them, they just had their underwear on and kept moving from floor, to seat to another section of floor, as everywhere they moved to soon warmed up against them. I ended up moving around in my underwear as well.

I'm a bit concerned for my cats, they're mainly black. I think I'll just keep putting down small amounts of wet food, changing their water and they like cat milk and cat soup, so might water one of them down if they're actively looking for food as it'll be extra liquid.

This is the government's view:
The plan, published by the UK Health Security Agency and the NHS, states that at level 4 “illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high‑risk groups”.

It is not 'panic' it is being mindful of the situation.

A nice cold pillow might help you get off to sleep - put your pillowcase (and sheets if they'll fit!) In the freezer