Britain’s first “red” warning came into force on Monday for large parts of England and will last until Tuesday, when temperatures may reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) for the first time. On Monday, high temperatures in the UK reached 30 degrees, but Tuesday will be even hotter with places like London reaching 40 degrees, said Anthony Farnell, chief meteorologist at Global News. “This will probably be the hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK,” he said.
Read more: Europe heat wave: UK on track for hottest day, fires in France and Spain
Meanwhile, fires are raging in France and Spain, where a week-long heat wave has killed hundreds. Belgium and Germany were among the countries expecting the heat wave to hit them in the coming days. Story continues below ad Summer is the peak season for travel in Europe, but given the current extreme weather expected to continue, experts are urging travelers to adjust their plans to minimize risks. “Heat stress is a silent killer,” said Glen Kenny, professor and research chair in human environmental physiology at the University of Ottawa. “What’s important to understand is that there’s always that danger, and it can go on like a light bulb.” Europe temperatures, July 18. World news graphic While the elderly and those with chronic conditions are most vulnerable, heat-related stress can also affect young people and children, he said. Being a tourist in a heat wave is like a “double-edged sword,” Kenny said. In addition to heat from the environment, he said any kind of physical activity while on the move will also add heat to the body. Story continues below ad In that case, people should plan their travel in a way that reduces the burden they would face from outdoor exposure and physical exercise, he said. This means staying indoors more often in museums or restaurants and also taking transportation that offers a cool environment. 2:17 Raging European fires force thousands from their homes, record-breaking heat linked to more than 1,000 deaths Martin Firestone, a travel insurance broker in Toronto, said Europe is a destination for more than 50 per cent of his clients – and the summer heat hasn’t forced any cancellations so far. “Certainly, a lot of the sales right now for travel are to these European destinations,” he said, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. Trending Stories
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Story continues below ad Given the extreme heat warnings, his advice to travelers is to get full coverage when it comes to buying medical insurance and opt for a cancellation and interruption policy in case they need to opt out or interrupt their trip. “I think it’s going to create a very interesting scenario for those traveling, especially in those areas that are affected at this point,” he said. Plant causing heat wave in Europe. Global News Graphic In Britain, train operators asked customers not to travel unless absolutely necessary, saying the heat was likely to warp rails and disrupt power supplies, leading to serious delays. Story continues below ad Some services were running at reduced speed or were closed altogether from midnight, when temperatures were expected to peak.
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London Luton Airport suspended flights on Monday after a surface defect was found on its runway due to high temperatures. The airport tweeted that service would resume as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/kn2ClMlZHK — London Luton Airport (@LDNLutonAirport) July 18, 2022 The good news for the UK and surrounding countries is that this heatwave is expected to shift east and dissipate later this week, limiting long-term heat exposure, Farnell said. Story continues below ad “There are similarities when you compare this Europa thermal event to the heat dome that was created throughout B.C. last summer,” he said.
What are the health risks?
If travelers were already exposed to heat before traveling, that will help with adaptation and acclimatization to the hot conditions, Kenny said. “If they go there and haven’t been exposed to the heat here for a while, they won’t have the same capacity,” he explained.
Read more: Summer is coming to Canada, and so is the extreme heat. How to stay safe
Signs of heat stress can include headaches, thirst, fatigue, dizziness, feeling sick, irritability, disorientation and hopelessness, Kenny said. 2:15 Summer temperatures rise in Canada with heat waves, wildfires Canada temperatures rise with heat waves, wildfires When traveling with the family, it’s important to pick up on these ‘critical signs’ or any change in behavior and seek help immediately. Story continues below ad “When someone starts to look confused or you see they’re not sweating anymore, those are clear signs (that) you need to take action,” he said. When packing, keep a hat, umbrella, sunscreen and wear clothing that will allow good ventilation and cover a limited amount of the body, Kenny said. — with files from Reuters and the Associated Press
