Category Archives: UK Weather

Why Are Meteorologists Saying Storm Isha Is ‘Unusual’ And ‘Rare’?

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Storm Isha is on its way – but, as the ninth named storm the UK has faced since summer ended, why are meteorologists calling it “unusual”?

Why is Isha a ‘rare’ storm?

The UK has seen plenty of storms recently, particularly named ones – after all, Storm Henk was only earlier this month.

If a storm has been named, it means they pose a threat to life.

The Met Office names them in alphabetically order. Isha is the ninth storm of the winter season (which technically begins in September) so it is named after the ninth letter.

The Met Office has explained that storm was triggered by the subsiding of the cold Arctic air which had been hanging over the UK – meaning air from the Atlantic came in.

The weather has therefore become much milder in temperature, but it’s much wetter and windier, too.

And that’s why meteorologists keep saying Isha is of particular interest – the UK does not often see storms which see the whole country hit by weather warnings.

According to Sky News, Met Office forecaster Ellie Glaisyer said that the “main thing” about Isha is that it is “very widespread” – and it’s “relatively rare” to have the whole of the UK covered by a warning.

“That’s the main difference to previous storms we have seen,” she said.

Channel 4 weather presenter Liam Dutton echoed this, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “Storm Isha is unusual because the disruptive winds cover a very large area.”

What weather will Isha bring?

The Met Office has already issued an amber weather warning for wind for the north and south-west of England, Wales, large parts of Northern Ireland and central and southern Scotland, from Sunday into Monday.

Another warning will be introduced for Sussex and Kent from Monday morning.

Winds of up to 80mph are expected along the UK coasts, and many places will see gusts of 50-60mph inland.

There’s a risk to life in coastal areas, and yellow flood warnings are expected for the next two days.

Ireland’s meteorological service, Met Eireann, has also introduced amber wind warnings for Sunday, which will escalate into a red storm warning for coastal areas in the north of the country on Monday.

Amber means there’s a good chance of power cuts, and other services could be impacts. Buildings may be damaged, journeys may be lengthened or cancelled altogether and some roads and bridges may close.

It also means injuries and danger to life likely from large waves and beach material thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and property.

A red weather warning means people need to seek cover and protect themselves or their properties.

A yellow wind warning will be in place covering Northern Ireland, north Wales, northern England and much of Scotland from Tuesday until midday on Wednesday.

The winds will gradually east throughout Monday, and overnight it should be a “calmer interlude” according to the Met Office – although it will be wet and windy again on Tuesday.

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This Kitchen Cupboard Essential Is About To Make Shovelling Snow So Much Easier

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You don’t need to open an app or switch on your TV to know that it’s, to use a technical term, bloody freezing right now.

And it’s probably not escaped your attention that the ice and frost that can build up on your car, roads, and gardens can sometimes be seriously disruptive.

In fact, sporting events have already been cancelled under the current snowy conditions ― drivers have been warned of roads becoming ’ice rinks.’

So, shovelling snow might become a part of your morning routine over the next couple of days. But it turns out that there’s a simple, cheap trick to keep your shovel blade smooth ― simply spray some cooking oil onto the base.

Why?

In short, it’s a simple case of lubrication.

Oil freezes at a much lower temperature than water, so it won’t seize up in cold weather ― unlike water-based alternatives.

So, using cooking spray, vegetable oil, or wax on your spade before you start shovelling snow can help it to slide through the snow and ice faster than it would otherwise, without running the risk of getting stuck.

“If the snow begins to stick to the shovel, it is time to reapply the spray or oil. It is best to apply it before every use,” AccuWeather adds.

Any other tips?

Yes! Wearing thick socks over your shows can provide extra grip, meaning you’re less likely to slip and slide on ice and snow.

And while we’re speaking about footwear, stuffing your shoes with newspaper after heavy snow exposure can help them to dry out faster and maintain their shape.

We’ve written before about how rubbing a cut potato over your windshield the night freezing temps take hold can lead to condensation-free glass in the morning (yes, really).

Most of all though, stay as warm and as safe as possible during the cold blast (ah, UK weather…).

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So THAT’s What Our Chances Of A White Christmas This Year Are

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The countdown to the 25 of December is officially on because the MET Office has revealed the Christmas day forecast.

But, it’s not great news if you’re a snow-lover. (Sorry!)

Temperatures have certainly dropped recently, with most of us feeling the chill as the predicted cold snap is expected to hit the UK later this week. And yes, that forecast does include snow.

And, in the run-up to the festive period, temperatures are expected to plummet to below zero in some parts (looking at you Scotland). But, when it comes to the big day, things are looking like they might be unseasonably mild, with wetter and windy weather than normal.

This is what the meteorologists say: “Conditions are most likely to be changeable through this period.

“Wetter and windier than average conditions are slightly more likely than normal, especially in the west and northwest.

“Temperatures are most likely to be near or above average overall, although this doesn’t rule out some spells of cold weather and associated wintry hazards.”

So if you’re looking forward to building that snowman, or making snow angels, then you might be waiting a long time.

But all snow-related-hopes are not lost, as forecasters have warned that there is still a chance of us running into some “associated wintry hazards”.

A month is a long time, and things can change rapidly. While snow isn’t looking likely, it definitely hasn’t been ruled out completely.

So maybe the no-show-snow-day is a blessing in disguise?

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UK Gardeners Urged To Do These Jobs In October Before Cold Weather Hits

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October is an interesting month for gardeners. The bounties of autumn are starting to fade away into the barer beauty of winter; bats, birds, and bugs are starting to struggle to find food.

It’s a good time to prepare your garden for a period of low, or no, growth, fallen leaves, and hard, cold soil. So, we thought we’d share the jobs you should get going on ASAP this month (before cold weather hits):

1) Plant some veg

Lucy Rhead, gardening enthusiast at Gtech, shared that it’s a great time to plant onions and shallots, which require little space; spinach (regular harvesting will keep your spinach cropping into spring); lettuce, which you can pretty much grow throughout the whole year, and asparagus, as planting your crowns in warm autumn soil can give them a head start blossoming over winter.

2) Get growing with some flowers, too

It’s a good idea to get some spring bulbs, like crocuses, fritillaries, and daffodils, in the ground now before the soil becomes too hard to dig.

3) Move delicate plants to a greenhouse or conservatory

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises moving tender, young, or cold-sensitive plants to a sheltered area in anticipation of harsher climes. This is called overwintering; prime candidates include perennials, palms, tree ferns, and more.

4) Get trimming

Though you should leave some plants like ivy untrimmed, others (like roses) require a good pruning. Herbaceous perennials can benefit from a little haircut around this time of year; check to see which of your plants is due a trim.

5) Divide your perennials

It’s one of your last chances to divide perennials to keep them healthy and ready to flourish again next year. The RHS recommends lifting the plants out gently with a garden fork, making sure you don’t damage the roots.

Once removed from the soil, shake the dirt off to reveal the roots and replant your perennials either in the same spot or a different one in your garden or in a pot. Water them well. You should also divide rhubarb crowns at this time of year.

6) Get cracking on some leaf compost

Whether you intend to rake a pile of leaves into a quiet part of your garden or plan to bag and compost ’em, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about how you can use the fallen leaves for gardening good. Just make sure not to include any infected leaves in mulches or composts.

7) Collect seeds for next year

Grab the last of the seeds from your plants, bag them, and label them in preparation for planting in spring. Some seeds, like those from astrantia, achillea, and red valerian, can be sown straight away.

8) Remove your plant pot saucers now and replace them with raisers

It’s important to keep your flowers hydrated in the dry, hot summer ― but now that the weather’s set to take a rainier turn, you’re at risk of waterlogging your plants if you don’t air them out.

The work of a gardener is never done, is it?

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The 1 Task UK Gardeners Should Avoid Doing In Autumn

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Autumn is a bountiful time in your garden. From the abundance of blackberries we saw earlier in the year to the current glut of rosehips, it’s a good season for the green-fingered.

Of course, the end of those autumnal perks signal the start of stark winter’s downsides. Bats and birds begin to struggle to find food. Rough, colder weather makes new growth unlikely.

Thankfully, there’s one simple (in)action you can take to help prevent some of these issues: keeping fallen leaves in your lawn, rather than throwing them out, is actually a pretty great move in autumn.

Eric Michels, Head of Pro at CJ Wildlife, says “One of the best things you can do with fallen leaves is to leave them for wildlife!”

“While some may consider fallen leaves a nuisance, they provide the perfect opportunity to give back to nature and create a habitat or food source for a wide variety of animals this autumn.”

So, here’s how to tackle your leaves without banishing them from your garden altogether:

Forget intense raking ― this is push-and-pile up season

A large, unraked pile-up of leaves on your lawn can cause problems, like mould. But simply shoving them into a heap in the corner of your lawn (rather than carefully clearing and disposing of them) can provide a home for wildlife, Michels says.

“Hibernating mammals, such as hedgehogs, frogs[,] or toads, will use leaf piles to create a nest where they will stay throughout winter, while insects and invertebrates will love the dark, damp nooks and crannies that it has to offer,” he says.

“In turn, this will encourage birds such as robins and sparrows to visit your garden to forage for worms and bugs in the leaf layer.”

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) agrees, saying that “You might not be a fan of creepy crawlies in your composting materials, but they serve an important function by providing food for larger birds and other wildlife.“

Where you place your leaf pile matters

Of course, you won’t want to stick the leaves in a busy or very exposed area ― they’re more likely to get kicked apart or blown away, and it’ll probably be a less welcoming area for wildlife too.

You should “make sure it is located in a quiet corner of the garden where visitors can stay undisturbed throughout winter,” Michels says.

The RSPB adds that “where you put the logs and leaves will affect the wildlife that uses it. Try different spots in your garden, with different sized and shaped piles.”

Got a felled log? Even better!

“If you have any logs or fallen branches, place these next to [the] leaf pile to provide additional shelter and security,” says Michels. The two make a very appealing pair for visiting wildlife.

“Gathered together, this mix can create a lovely pile of goodness to help your garden grow and encourage more birds, bees and other wildlife to visit,” the RSPB shared.

So, if you’ve got some old branches or logs (perhaps from deadheading, pruning, or simply cutting down trees), the more the merrier.

Leaf mulch makes amazing compost, too

Not sure about piling up leaves in your lawn? You can place it in a beg for mulching instead (or on top of) the heaps.

In fact, the RHS refers to bags of leaf mould as “black gold”.

The steps are simple ― collect fallen leaves, stick ’em in a jute leaf sack, a bin bag, or an old compost bag, and simply wait for about two years for the coveted leaf mould.

And if you’re worried about any bad smells, fear not ― “The mention of ‘rot’ may conjure thoughts of smelliness, but decomposing logs, sticks and leaves don’t have much of an aroma at all – just a faint scent of woodlands,” says the RSPB.

You can make leaf mulch even sooner than that ― just “remember to check leaf piles for any animals before moving or mulching,” Michel says.

Look, anything that means I don’t have to meticulously rake and throw out my leaves is good news to me…

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Banish Your Hayfever Symptoms With These 3 Doctor-Approved Tips

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Of all the summer maladies, I reckon hayfever is among the worst.

The constantly-watering eyes, the itchy nose, the explosive sneezes – I’d happily trade a couple of days’ worth of sun for some sniffle-free time, ta very much.

If you’re anything like me, you will have tried every conventional hayfever-busting trick in the book. But for some reason, the pollen this summer seems to have some serious hands.

Thankfully, Dr. Karan Raj recently took to TikTok to explain three of the best lesser-known antidotes to hayfever – including everything from pro-level meds to sneaky hair-washing hacks.

Here’s what he had to say:

Make absolutely definite you’re doing the basics

OK, OK, I know I started this off by saying that you’ve probably tried all the better-known solutions.

But just in case, Dr. Raj listed all his favourite go-to hayfever hacks to check off before you try anything drastic.

These are:

  • Wearing Vaseline, or another petroleum jelly, around your nostrils
  • Wearing sunglasses when you’re out
  • Washing your hair before bed to clear out any stray pollen
  • Not drying laundry outside, where your clothes can catch pollen
  • Changing your clothes frequently

Once you’ve got those covered, he recommends trying what he calls “extras”.

1) Nab yourself some fexofenadine

When it comes to hayfever symptom-relieving tablets, it turns out that not all options are created equal.

Fexofenadine, Dr. Raj says, is the “strongest over-the-counter medication you can buy” for hayfever.

Sure, it might cost a little more than your usual faves – but its “much stronger” active ingredient, fexofenadine hydrochloride, could well be worth a shot.

Just make sure you actually *are* getting the active ingredient on there, Dr. Raj says.

2) Irrigate your nose

Yes, taking meds is easy and can be effective – but as Dr. Raj says, “It’s in your nose holes that pollen can get trapped and cause reactions.”

Flushing your nostrils with water or a nasal spray can loosen the trapped pollen, potentially relieving you of those cursed symptoms.

But the doctor stresses the importance of using the nozzles products like nasal sprays correctly.

“Don’t point up towards your brain,” he says. He recommends we point “sideways, towards (our) ears” instead.

That way, the solution will reach your sinuses directly.

On top of that, he says that you shouldn’t swallow the spray – it’ll end up in your throat, where it’s not doing any good.

3) Ban the booze

I know, I know, it’s summer – but Dr. Raj reckons going on the lash could be just about the worst thing you can do for your hay fever.

He points out that alcohol contains chemicals called histamines (the thing your hay fever meds are so anti), which can trigger allergic reactions.

“It also makes you more sensitive to poller’” Dr. Raj adds, “thus increasing symptoms.”

Catch his entire video here:

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Ouch – These New Sunburn Stats Will Have You Reaching For Your SPF

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Be honest, how seriously do you take sun protection? Do you reapply sunscreen throughout the day, even on cloudy days?

According to collaborative research from LifeJacket Skin Protection and Melanoma UK, people in the UK are putting themselves in what the researchers have described as “grave danger” by not protecting their skin effectively with SPF.

The research has been launched in time for Skin Cancer Awareness Month and highlights how our neglectful approach to SPF is putting our bodies at risk.

Five Or More Sunburns Puts You At A Higher Risk Of Melanoma

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, five or more sunburns can put you at a higher risk of melanoma – the third most common skin cancer in the UK. This is especially concerning given that the LifeJacket Skin Protection and Melanoma UK research found that, on average, UK adults have burnt themselves 15 times in a lifetime. Additionally, 20% of adults say that they never use SPF.

Ultraviolet light (UV) is a form of non-ionising radiation that is emitted by the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds and is responsible for 80% of premature skin ageing and 90% of melanoma skin cancers. This is strong enough to affect you even on grey, cloudy days and it’s recommended by Melanoma UK that sun protection is applied on a daily basis.

Of the UK adults who shared that they don’t use SPF every day:

  • 21% said this was because they rarely burn and just tan
  • 1 in 5 said they only use it when they feel like they’re burning
  • 20% of people only remember when prompted by a friend or family member
  • 16% will only use it abroad
  • 10% only when the dial goes over 40 degrees celsius

However, according to the NHS, there is no healthy or safe way to tan.

Speaking on the data, Professor Christian Aldridge, a dermatologist who specialises in skin cancer said, “This new data correlates with what I’m seeing every day in my surgery… In many cases, it’s causing skin cancer which is almost totally preventable. We need a sharp change in attitudes to tanning and protection in order to slow down the rise in skin cancer cases.”

How To Effectively Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage

To effectively protect your skin, Professor Aldridge recommends:

  • Daily use of SPF of at least 30, especially between April to September
  • Wear Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) clothing, especially if you have fair skin. Skin Cancer Foundation created a guide on UPF clothing if you’re unsure of what it includes
  • Monitor your skin and if you have lesions that aren’t healing or are newly-pigmented for more than six weeks, especially in sun-exposed areas, keep an eye on them. He recommends monitoring for crusting, bleeding, and re-forming again or not improving with time. If this occurs, seek medical attention.

Additionally, the NHS recommends:

  • Spend time in the shade between 11am to 3pm
  • Apply sunscreen lotion 30 minutes before going out and then again just before leaving
  • Reapply every two hours
  • Reapply after being in water even if your sunscreen says it is “water resistant” as towel-drying and sweating can still remove it
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Here’s When The UK Could See Snow And Freezing Temperatures… And It’s Soon

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Just as we were beginning to enjoy spring’s sudden warmer temperatures, it looks like they’re about to be pulled out from under us.

The Met Office has issued an update about March’s weather here in the UK and there’s an ‘increasing probability’ of a cold snap arriving soon.

It’s all thanks to a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in which the Arctic’s high-altitude air warms up and pushes a ferocious mass of low-level polar air towards the UK.

From March 2 to 16 (right in time for Mother’s Day on March 17), the Met Office predicts: “Temperatures will likely be around or slightly above average for the whole period, with perhaps colder conditions relative to average more likely later in the period. There remains a small but increasing probability of much colder weather developing as we move further into March.”

Oh good – just as we were ready to pack away our winter layers for another year.

In a blog post the forecaster added that “the latest forecasts are showing that a major SSW is now likely to take place” but added that “it is important to remember that the occurrence of an SSW does not always equate to a ‘Beast from the East’ type scenario.”

Either way, things are about to get chilly in March – pass the thermals.

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UK Weather: Britain Lurches From Drought To Flash Floods

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Parts of the UK have faced two days of torrential rain, which follows weeks of hot weather and sunshine, with a thunderstorm warning covering most of the south east of England, including parts of London, in place.

While the weather extremes may be disconcerting, one invariably leads to another. With land left parched, it will take heavy rain much longer to be absorbed into the ground – leading to the spate of flash floods being recorded on social media.

And the downpours will not magically solve the country’s drought problem. The Environment Agency has said it will take weeks of rain to replenish water sources and end the drought.

Footage and photos showed torrential rain and floodwater sweeping through towns across the UK.

The Met Office issued an amber thunderstorm warning from 11am until 10pm on Wednesday, meaning people should expect flooding and disruption.

The warning says: “Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life.”

Flooding is likely to affect homes and businesses “quickly”, as 30mm to 50mm of rain could fall in just an hour, while a few places may see more than 100mm in a few hours.

Forecasters say this could lead to train and bus cancellations amid difficult driving conditions, power cuts and communities becoming cut off from roads.

Lightning, hail and strong winds will also lash areas included in the warning, which spreads across Suffolk, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex.

The images of floods emerging are in stark contrast to last week, when England’s green pastures had been turned yellow and brown.

A drought was officially declared across most of England following the driest July for 50 years and the driest first half of the year since 1976.

Thames Water, which supplies 15 million people, is putting a hosepipe ban in place next week, saying water levels in its reservoirs were “much lower than usual”.

It joins Welsh Water, Southern Water and South East Water in implementing a hosepipe ban.

South West Water and Yorkshire Water will follow suit on August 23 and 26 respectively – meaning more than 29.4 million customers across the UK will be prohibited from using hosepipes by the end of next week.

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First A Heatwave, Now Floods – What’s Going On With The UK’s Climate?

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British weather has definitely taken a more terrifying turn over the last few months in particular – but just what is causing these sudden fluxes in the climate?

A record-breaking heatwave in July saw the temperature reach an astonishing high of 40.3C, while a longer, albeit slightly cooler, heatwave swept over the UK just a month later.

Now, there are forecasts of rain and thunderstorms which could cause further disruption, with flood alerts issued across multiple regions.

While this is obviously caused by the climate crisis, here’s everything you need to know to understand how it is really affecting our day to day lives.

PA Graphics via PA Graphics/Press Association Images

What caused the hot weather?

The extreme weather which spread across the UK in July was caused by a surge in continental air and August’s heatwave has been caused by a “stubborn area of high pressure sat over the UK”, a Met Office spokesperson told HuffPost UK.

A heat-health alert from the UK Health Security Agency is also still in place until 9am on Tuesday.

The heatwaves have made the UK so dry, that an official drought was declared in eight areas of England on Friday by the National Drought Group.

Welsh Water, Southern Water, and South East Water have brought in hosepipe bans too, while Yorkshire Water and Thames Water are planning to bring them in soon.

The Met Office also believes, despite the coming rain, this summer will be remembered as a particularly dry one.

The chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, (NFCC) Mark Hardingham said: “I can’t remember a summer like this and I’ve been in the fire service 32 years. We are not going to see temperatures as hot as we saw three weeks ago but that doesn’t matter because the ground couldn’t get any drier than it already is.”

Will there be rain?

Not just rain, but storms too. Locations in Northern Ireland and Scotland are already seeing thundery skies, meaning the Met Office has issued some yellow thunderstorm warnings. Storms are expected to hit the south by Wednesday.

Three days of heavy rain are expected in total, potentially accompanied by hail, sweeping in an eastern direction across the country.

The Met Office expects to see at leat 50mm of rain in two or three-hour periods in a few regions, putting low-lying roads and areas next to sloping fields at risk.

But, the rain recorded from the rest of the summer in parts of southern and central England is less than a quarter of what is usually expected in a British summer.

By Thursday, high pressure will have pushed into the UK and so it will stay mostly dry.

Is this rain good or bad?

Well, there hasn’t been substantial rainfall since June in many southern regions.

But there are fears that the intense dry spell – lasting several weeks now – means the land is too dry to absorb the rainwater.

There could therefore be flash flooding, but the rain will do little to ease drought conditions. The thunder could could cause power cuts too.

However, rain does still reduce the threat of wildfires which have strained UK fire services over recent months.

The Met Office’s Dan Stroud said what we really need is “an extended period of light rain, an average or slightly above average autumn”, along with a winter where constant light rain recharges the ground.

Discussing the upcoming downpour, Stroud said: “It will help a little but to be honest really, it’s almost the wrong kind of rain. What we’re likely to see is some heavy, intense downpours.

“With the ground baked so dry, it’s very difficult for the ground to actually absorb the water very quickly… so what tends to happen in these circumstances is the water runs off, and we can potentially get some surface run-off issues, so some flash floods.”

Why is our weather changing so quickly?

Short answer: climate change.

In terms of why this week in particular seems so dramatic, meteorologist Stroud said the drastic changes stem from an alteration in air pressure.

Stroud said: “We’ve had a number of days now where we’ve had clear, strong skies and strong sunshine which has heated up the ground.

“We’ve had high pressure dominating, now we’re having low pressure dominate, so the air is becoming more unstable.

“As we’ve had some very high ground temperatures, it doesn’t actually take too much for the air to become even more unstable and for thundery showers to develop quickly.”

Is this a one-time thing?

Probably not. The climate crisis is not going anywhere, and is actually getting worse, as our atmosphere continues to heat up.

Temperatures are expected to decrease to a more normal level in August, but that doesn’t mean we can’t expect similarly searing heat next summer.

As professor Hannah Cloke, a natural hazards researcher at the University of Reading told the i newspaper: “With average temperatures rising across the UK, we have to shift the definition of what ‘particularly hot’ is, otherwise that definitely becomes increasingly meaningless.”

She said the UK needs to change how we define a heatwave, as rising greenhouse gas emissions mean higher temperatures are more common now than they were over the last two decades.

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