Bank Holiday heatwave warning to canine homeowners as UK could also be hotter than Barbados
Brits are set for a scorching Bank Holiday weekend with record-breaking temperatures expected — but the Met Office has urged dog owners to avoid walking their pets during the hottest part of the day
Dog have been warned ahead of the heatwave (file)(Image: SolStock via Getty Images)
Pet owners across the UK are being urged not to walk or exercise dogs during the hottest periods of the day this Sunday, with parts of the nation set to be hotter than Barbados throughout the Bank Holiday weekend.
The Met Office advised dog walkers should stick to early morning or late evening strolls and avoid venturing out during the hottest stretch of the day, which falls between 11am and 3pm when UV rays are at their strongest.
Deputy chief forecaster, Steve Kocher, said: “The Bank Holiday weekend will see an exceptional spell of warmth for May with a notable heatwave forecast. Temperatures will climb through the weekend, especially in the south, where 30C is likely to be recorded on Saturday and 32C on Sunday.
“Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday when we could see 33°C recorded in southern England and the Midlands.”
He also said “it is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8C”.
This means numerous areas will also be hotter than leading European holiday destinations including Mykonos, Marbella, and Benidorm, reports the Express.
Top tips to stay safe during a heatwave include:
- Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated. Older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk.
- Stay cool indoors: Close curtains in rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler. Counter intuitively, closing doors and windows in the heat of the day can keep it cooler inside.
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.
- Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued amber heat health alerts that come into force on Friday morning, with officials warning that the hot weather could cause minor disruption to health and social care services through to Wednesday.
A UK heatwave is officially logged when a region experiences at least three consecutive days of temperatures that meet or exceed the area’s heatwave threshold. The standing May temperature record is 32.8C, set in Camden Square, London, back in 1922. The hottest day recorded in the UK this year was a balmy 26.6C at Kew Gardens in south-west London in April.
Warmer weather often triggers a spike in ambulance callouts and Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rescues along UK coastlines as individuals suffer from heat stress or encounter difficulties in the water.
Cancer Research UK has implored people to enjoy the sun responsibly by covering up and applying sunscreen. Its latest data for 2022 reveals there were 20,980 new cases of melanoma, the highest figure it has ever recorded. Fresh analysis from the charity also indicates that the number of people diagnosed with melanoma will rise to 26,500 annually by 2040.
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