Brits warned to bin the booze as country sizzles in record-breaking 33C August Bank Holiday scorcher (2024)

BRITS have been warned to stay off the booze this weekend as the country is set to sizzle in the sunshine.

The mercury could reach 33C on Monday, which would set a new record for the late bank holiday weekend.

It would also top the 32C expected in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The highest record temperature for the late August bank holiday weekend is 31.5C at Heathrow Airport in 2001.

The Met Office has warned sunseekers to bin the booze this weekend.

Brits have been urged to: "Stay out of the sun. Keep your home as cool as possible – shading windows and shutting them during the day may help.

"Open them when it is cooler at night. Avoid too much exercise, which can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and watch for signs of heat stress - an early sign is fatigue.

"Drink plenty of fluids, but not alcohol, which dehydrates the body. If there's anybody you know, for example an older person living on their own, who might be at special risk, make sure they know what to do."

Brits have also warned to stay inside and out of the sun between 11am and 3pm to avoid suffering from heat or sun stroke or sunburn and to drink plenty of water.

Those most at risk are young children, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions such as asthma.

The Met Office has issued amber, yellow and green health alerts across the country lasting from 9am on Saturday until 9am on Monday.

A level 3 heatwave alert was issued for parts of eastern England, which means temperatures can be dangerous to health for three days straight.

Level two and one alerts are in place for London, the south east and the north, where there is a 60 per cent chance heat levels will become unbearable for at least two days.

A spokesman said: "High pressure will start to build over the south of England, allowing temperatures to gradually rise into the weekend, with the warmest temperatures in the south and east of England.

"Maximum temperatures on Saturday are likely to be near the threshold, but then a warm night is expected on Saturday night, with temperatures reaching thresholds from Saturday evening and onwards."

Some Brits slammed the 'health police' for issuing warnings to stay indoors and in the shade.

Matt Coates tweeted: "A stay out of the sun warning for the bank holiday ahead of a heatwave. Are you f***ing serious after the sh*** weather we’ve had recently.

"Why is everything so extreme nowadays. I know what I’ll be doing."

Chris Elliott said: "Stay out of the sun, oh yeah the big bright ball shining in the sky. Sun cream should do the trick."

A woman named Laura said: "Bloody drama queens! Also telling us Brits to stay out the sun... hilarious! We need to make the most of what little sun we do get!!"

As millions prepare to take to the road for short breaks, experts have warned the hot weather could cause more breakdowns.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “With summer returning in time for the weekend for many of us, it’s going to mean millions of us take to the road for day trips and short breaks.

“Unfortunately, as the temperature rises so can the chances of a breakdown – so it’s important drivers check over their vehicle before setting out.

“Tyre pressure and tread, as well as oil and coolant levels, should all be looked at and doing so can really cut the chances of breaking down.

“Hungry, thirsty or tired passengers can also be recipes for in-car irritability – and ‘carguments’ – so pack enough food and water to keep your passengers happy, and plan in enough breaks along the way.”

BANK HOLIDAY HEATWAVE

The expected 33C heat by Monday would smash the previous high set two years ago - by as much as five degrees.

Chief Met Office meteorologist Steve Willington said: "By Bank Holiday Monday itself temperatures will rise further with around 33C possible in the southeast - which would set a new record for the coming Bank Holiday weekend."

The current highest temperature on record for the August Bank Holiday Monday is 28.2C at Holbeach, Lincolnshire in 2017.

But the hottest overall temperature during the late summer Bank Holiday weekend is 31.5C, on August 25, 2001, at Heathrow.

FAREWELL TO AUGUST WASHOUT

A sunny long weekend will be welcomed by Brits bored with the cooler and damper weather we have seen for the past few weeks.

This afternoon south-easterly winds will draw warm air from Europe towards the UK, bringing rising temperatures along with dry and settled weather.

The blast of hot air follows June and July roasts which saw 34C on June 29, at Northolt, north London, and the 38.7C hottest day since records began 178 years ago in 1841, on July 25, in Cambridge.

Central and southern England are expected to see the warmest weather of the bank holiday, while temperatures across northern areas of the UK will be lower, with conditions likely to be more changeable.

Temperatures are forecast to build until Sunday, meteorologist Emma Smith said.

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