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‘Heatwave’ sends Britain into meltdown

YOU’D think they would love a bit of sun. But the Poms have gone into a serious meltdown after their hottest July day on record.

VICTORIA CRAW
less than 2 min read
July 2, 2015 - 9:26AM
Organisers were forced to reduce capacity at Wimbledon because of heat on day 2 of the event. Picture: GLYN KIRK
Organisers were forced to reduce capacity at Wimbledon because of heat on day 2 of the event. Picture: GLYN KIRK

OPINION: You’d think they would be stoked. Britain, notorious for its grim, grey skies, summer rain and icy winters is in the middle of a heatwave. A real one.

The temperature officially reached 36 degrees in the UK on Wednesday - the hottest July day in over a century. The Met Office said “the “heatwave” will only last a day or two, with temperatures dropping slightly by Thursday,” and is due to a rush of warm air from Europe.

You know, summer.

But rather than bask those sun-deprived bodies in the warmth, the country seems to have literally gone into meltdown with trains, tubes and public heath services from the NHS to aged care, the Lung Foundation and asthma sufferers all issuing warnings over the heat.

‘Baking Britain is hotter than the Sahara’ screamed The Sun this morning, while warning readers to watch out for dengue-fever carrying mozzies and asthma sufferers to carry an inhaler with them due to extreme pollen. Commuter newspaper Metro warned people to “stay inside” between 11am-3pm while The Times referred to it as “just short of a national emergency”. The Guardian is even live-blogging the great heatwave of 2015, with updates, warnings and tips on how to survive the weather.

Rail services are running constant reminders for passengers to carry water bottles and get off if they feel faint, while warning trains may be subject to delays with tracks buckling in the heat. Authorities at Wimbledon were forced to cut capacity by 5000 yesterday due to a lack of shade.

Meanwhile health services have warned everyone from the elderly to hayfever sufferers and new mums to watch their babies in the heat, while the government has an entire heatwave action plan. Brands are also scrambling to cash in with promos on everything from barbecues to swimwear and sunglasses.

On Twitter #hottestdayoftheyear was trending by 9am with thousands getting on board to share their experience.

Granted, it will be hot and horrible on the underground. You will get sunburnt at Wimbledon. Train delays are annoying and it can be tough for elderly, pets and those who can’t cool themselves down.

But for every sweltering Brit cursing the heat, I bet there is a homesick Aussie smiling in the sun.

Enjoy it Britain, you may not get another one.

Cooling off at London’s southbank. Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty Images.
Cooling off at London’s southbank. Picture: Rob Stothard/Getty Images.
Hats on at Wimbledon as the temperature is set to reach 35 degrees. Picture: Justin Tallis.
Hats on at Wimbledon as the temperature is set to reach 35 degrees. Picture: Justin Tallis.
Cooling off in Rome. Europe will also hit temperatures up to 40 degrees over the next few days.
Cooling off in Rome. Europe will also hit temperatures up to 40 degrees over the next few days.
A man sunbathes in Paris as a heatwave spreads across Europe.
A man sunbathes in Paris as a heatwave spreads across Europe.

SEE MORE PICS OF EUROPE’S MELTDOWN

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/climate-change/heatwave-sends-britain-into-meltdown/news-story/0546b379a79291be885f209d6d713227