The weather is always a dominant talking subject in the UK, especially as the country is bracing itself Thursday for a heatwave.
This morning, Britons are advised to stay indoors after forecasters warned that much of the country would be hotter than Barbados during a two-day heatwave, weathermen pointed out.
Hot weather is a rarity here, as foggy, long cold winter with its biting storms, rain, and bleak dark nights is considered the norm here, it was pointed out.
Today health officials said hospitals and care homes have been put on alert for an increase in admissions with social services staff on standby to contact the ill and vulnerable.
Public health officials said they were particularly concerned about Muslims fasting for the holy month of Ramadan.
The Met Office issued a Level Two alert, triggered when temperatures are predicted to reach between 28C and 32C over two days and not dip below 15C and 18C at night.
People in the South East of England and central England have been told to keep out of the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, todayآ’s headlines in a number of British newspapers were focusing on the looming health hazards of the heatwave.
The mass-circulation newspaper the Daily Express is advising people to turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment, to avoid generating excess heat, and wear a hat or light scarf if venturing outdoors.
In the meantime, Public Health England said people should keep curtains closed, move to a cooler room to sleep, and should eat salad, drink plenty of water, and avoid extreme physical exertion.
Schools have been advised to monitor overweight children and encourage youngsters to play in the shade.
They have also been asked to avoid leaving computers and printers on standby mode.
Dr. Paul Cosford, of Public Health England, was quoted as saying that "While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be particularly vulnerable, such as older people, young children, and those with serious illnesses.
"Many members of the Muslim community may be fasting during the current period of Ramadan ... During hot weather itآ’s important to balance food and fluid intake between fasts and especially to drink enough water," he pointed out.
Temperatures are forecast to climb to about 32C by tomorrow, the weathermen said.
Areas of Britain will enjoy warmer weather than popular holiday destinations such as Barcelona, Ibiza, Spain, and Nice in the south of France.
However, storms will bring fresher weather by Sunday before the heat is expected to return next week.
The thunder storms will be caused by warm air moving up from Spain bringing sticky and humid conditions, they added.
However, the Met Office was criticised for issuing dual warnings of heatwaves and downpours in some areas.
Forecasters said the two weather events "were not mutually exclusive." Records show 300 people were killed in the UK by a four-day heatwave which peaked at 32 C in July 2009.