The heat wave is leaving never seen temperatures in the month of May in the United Kingdom. The Meteorological Office (Met Office) has warned this Monday that thermometers will exceed the 35 degrees in some areas of the country, more than two degrees above the maximum recorded so far at this time of year. “The current record for May is 32.8°C [registrado por última vez en 1944]. Records are often broken by tenths of a degree, making this heat wave a unprecedented fact”their spokespersons have assured.
Much of the country is located in health alert yellow or orange due to high temperatures, especially in central and southern England, including London. The authorities have requested exercise extreme cautionespecially to those who are taking advantage of this Monday’s holiday to do outdoor activities. “We know that even moderate heat can cause serious health problems, so it’s important that we all take some simple precautions as we enjoy the good weather over the next few days,” said a spokeswoman for the British Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Queue outside an ice cream stall at a medieval festival at Leeds Castle, during the current heatwave in the UK, / STONE STONE / EFE
Temperatures already registered unusual levels this Sunday. Some areas of London exceeded 32 degreessomething that has not been seen for almost 80 years. The Meteorological Office has warned that temperatures will also be high at night, with the possibility of suffering “tropical nights” above 20 degrees. In London, the highest nighttime temperature in the month of May was reached this Monday, with 19.4 degrees.
Most common phenomena
Meteorologists warn that these phenomena will occur more and more frequently in the United Kingdom, due to the climate change. According to a study published by the Meteorological Office last summer, the probability of beat the record for a month of May it is three times greater than it would have been in a climate not affected by greenhouse gas emissions. “What was once a phenomenon that occurred approximately once every 100 years, now occurs approximately once every 33 years,” the experts point out.
The unusual temperatures recorded at this time of May are a warning of what is expected especially hot summer in the British Isles. The probability of the ‘El Niño’ phenomenon occurring, which intensifies heat waves, is increasing. The worst part of this phenomenon is expected for 2027, although its effects will begin to be noticed in the coming months. These changes are causing new habits in the population, with an increasing demand for air conditioners in cities like London.
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