U.K. issues 1st ever 'red' warning, bracing for record-setting heat as Europe swelters

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Britain's Met Office has issued its first ever "red" warning for exceptional heat, saying record temperatures expected early next week will put even healthy people at risk of serious illness and death.

The warning covers Monday and Tuesday, when temperatures in England may reach 40 C for the first time, the meteorological agency said. The highest temperature ever recorded in the U.K. is 38.7 C, set in 2019.

"We hoped we wouldn't get to this situation but for the first time ever we are forecasting greater than 40 C in the U.K.," said Nikos Christidis, a Met Office scientist.

"In a recent study we found that the likelihood of extremely hot days in the U.K. has been increasing and will continue to do so during the course of the century, with the most extreme temperatures expected to be observed in the southeast of England."

It's the first red warning under the Met Office's extreme heat warning system, which was introduced in 2021.

The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) increased its own alert to the highest level, warning of a "national emergency."

"At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups," UKHSA said.

The two agencies issued lower-level warnings earlier this week as large parts of the U.K. experienced higher than normal temperatures, although cooler weather prevailed Thursday and Friday. Temperatures are expected to build over the weekend before peaking Monday and Tuesday.



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