Brits given ‘ridiculous’ climate warning as UK set to be hotter than Ibiza
The Met Office’s own UV advice is that we should ‘consider sunscreen in direct sunlight’ for UV levels between one and two, and for moderate UV of a level ‘Sunscreen is advised’
Crackers health chiefs are trying to put a dampener on our first sunshine of the year by issuing a sunburn warning. Spoilsport forecasters have issued highs of up to 18C this week, but insist we sit in the shade even though it’s still winter.
Despite spring not officially starting until March 20, ITV weatherman Chris Page wrote on Facebook: “The sun’s strength is ramping up. “We’re approaching moderate Level 3 on the UV index when it’s often advised to consider sunscreen.”
Slamming the nannying advice, Mark Wright replied: “Don’t be ridiculous – it’s not hot or dangerous, and people need vitamin D.”
The spring-like conditions will mean that parts of the UK will be hotter than Ibiza and Barcelona this week, with this weekend looking set to be the UK’s warmest so far in 2025. But NHS guidance even urged workers enjoying lunchtime sandwiches in the sun beforehand to duck into the shade.
According to health service sun safety tips: “Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October. Make sure you never burn.”
Apparently, this time of year is particularly dangerous for sunburn because our bodies have enjoyed relatively little sunlight, or UV, for several months. As time ticks by into summer, we slowly acclimatise to higher UV and can tolerate more.
The Met Office’s own UV advice is that we should “consider sunscreen in direct sunlight” for UV levels between one and two, and for moderate UV of a level between three and five it says: “Sunscreen is advised.”
It comes as forecasters also warned the balmy start to the month will descend into a “Scandinavian cold snap” by next week.
A blocking high pressure system is forecast to establish near Iceland, causing winds to turn northeasterly.
The Met Office has warned the mercury could fall as low as -7C overnight on Monday and put an end to any plans in the sun.
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