2017 United Kingdom heat wave
| Dates | 17 June - 22 June | |
|---|---|---|
| Areas affected | United Kingdom | |
| Highest temperature | 34.5 °C (94.1 °F) at London Heathrow[1] | |
The 2017 United Kingdom heat wave was an event that took place in the United Kingdom in June 2017. Temperatures at Heathrow Airport reached a decades-high of 34.5 °C (94.1 °F), the hottest June temperature since 1976, on 21 June.[2] This marked five consecutive days of temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F), making it an official heatwave, and the first June heatwave since 1995.[3]
An incoming cold front from 21 June led to some rainfall and predictions of thunderstorms, similar to those seen earlier in the year, because it would clash with the heat. A yellow storm warning was issued for the North of England and Wales, and South of Scotland, for 27 hours from 0300 on 21 June.[4] Another yellow warning was given nationwide the following day from the time at which the previous warning ends until 1300 (1pm).[5] The Met Office also warned of risks of localised flooding, large hail, and severe thunderstorms ranging from the Midlands northwards from the afternoon of 21 June,[6] though official weather warnings showed that the worst of the storm will have travelled to the South East and East Coast by mid-morning on 22 June.[7]
It was also reported that there were concerns over the toxicity of the air within the South of England and Wales – Sadiq Khan triggered the London Air Pollution emergency alerts[8] – as the exotic temperature and strong southerly wind brought air from Europe and preserved the pollutants. Also in response to the unfamiliarly high temperatures, experts warned against those with heart or lung issues to venture outdoors.[9] The meeting of the Royal Ascot on 21 June also considered relaxing its historical and unbroken traditional dress code, which would force men to remain in full dress suit and top hat, and women in long dress and jacket.[9]
Incidents
The A31 Hog's Back road, in Guildford, Surrey, melted on 19 June, said to resemble a "bar of chocolate" in the heat.[10]
Several people died after swimming while trying to cool off.[3] Two teenage boys died in separate incidents after getting into difficulty at a mere[11] and reservoir,[12] and an elderly woman died in the sea off the South coast.[13]
References
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40353118. Retrieved 3 August 2017. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ↑ "Hottest June day since summer of 1976 in heatwave". BBC. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- 1 2 "UK Heatwave brings hottest June day for 40 years". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ↑ "Met Office issue Yellow weather warning for rain over Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire". The Sentinel. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ↑ "Met Office issues yellow weather warning for Essex as thunderstorms predicted for county". Essex Live. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ↑ "MET Office weather warnings: Wednesday 21st June 2017". MET Office. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ↑ "MET Office weather warnings Thursday 22nd June 2017". MET Office. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ↑ "London mayor issues emergency air quality alert amid heatwave". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- 1 2 "UK heatwave triggers air pollution alert as people flock to beaches". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ↑ "Weather: Hogs Back resembles 'bar of chocolate' after heatwave causes road surface to melt". Get Surrey. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ↑ "Walsall lake death: Boy, 15, was swimming with friends". BBC. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ↑ "Greenbooth Reservoir drowning: Mum begged Paul Lawson not to swim". BBC. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- ↑ "Woman dies at East Wittering". Chichester Observer. Retrieved 21 June 2017.