EXTREME heat is becoming the “new normal” with wooded areas like Worcestershire offering precious breathing spaces, a senior meteorologist has said.
Jim Dale warned that 30C heat is becoming a regular occurrence in the British summer, with the dial heading to even more sweltering temperatures in years to come.
He predicted 40 years ago that Britain was moving towards a Mediterranean climate and has spoken of the disaster that will unfold if urgent action is not taken.
The meteorologist spoke as the Met Office issued a red weather warning for Worcestershire as a week-long heatwave with predicted highs of 35C sets in.
“There were times when we went through summer and we didn’t see it reach 30C, or it was highly unusual, but now temperatures of 30C and above are becoming the new normal for southern England,” he said.
READ MORE: Extreme heat warnings expanded as the UK heatwave to soar to 38C
‘Eyes wide shut’
BOLTHOLE: Worcestershire is one of the better places in the country to see out a heatwave due to its woods and forests (Image: NQ)
“It’s here in front of us and we shouldn’t walk round with our eyes wide shut.
“It was here in May when there were ridiculous temperatures and it’s back this week with peaks on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“This is happening when June isn’t even the hottest month, July and August are.
“We are edging towards even higher temperatures and 40C being the normal.”
Record-breaking week
WARNING: Jim Dale has spent four decades speaking about the impact of extreme heat and climate change (Image: Jim Dale)
The Met Office has “growing confidence” in the June record temperature of 35.6C, recorded in Southampton in 1976, being broken.
Mr Dale, who has spent the last 40 years warning about the impact of climate change, also expects new historic highs this year.
The forecaster of independent meteorologist British Weather Services identifies rural areas as being preferable to cities in a new age of extreme heat.
HEAT: The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning ahead of this week’s predicted heatwave (Image: Met Office)
“Rural areas tend to be slightly cooler than urban areas, so no urban heat island in other words,” he said.
“If you find yourself in a wood or a forest, of which there are plenty in Worcestershire, that’s where you can find some relief as the oxygen levels are higher and there is more shade.
“You can lose five degrees of temperature within a wood and you can breathe more easily.”
Mediterranean-style lifestyle
WARNING: A red weather alert has been issued for two days in Worcestershire (Image: Supplied)
Mr Dale, co-author of Surviving Extreme Weather, wants to see a change in governmental and societal responses to extreme heat, with a move to a Mediterranean-style lifestyle.
“The government is trying but it is not moving fast enough and they are being stopped by the opposition; the Tory party doesn’t want to get to net zero and Reform UK doesn’t even accept that climate change is happening,” he said.
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“In terms of everyday life, we need changes to the infrastructure so people can keep fresh, with places like cooling showers you can walk into, or open showers in the town centre, and painting buildings white.
“We are moving towards a Mediterranean climate so we need a lifestyle to match, with siestas at the hottest part of the day.
“Then there are the standard things like staying at home with the fans on, wearing light clothing, and getting adequate hydration that we don’t always do.
“These are sensible, easy steps which will make a massive difference to health and safety and forward planning.”