Saharan Bubble will send sunseekers racing for the beach today

Britons are flocking to the beach today as the Saharan Bubble sends temperatures soaring with sunseekers set to bathe in sweltering 81F by this afternoon.  

The Met Office has stated that London and the south east of England will be the hottest areas, with the highest temperature of 2019 so far being felt in Norfolk on June 2, reaching a high of 84F. 

Forecasters have also issued a yellow weather warning for Plymouth and Truro, with strong gusty winds expected to disrupt travel in the area, with delays to roads, rail and ferry transport being likely. 

This is while police across the country have urged people not to swim in lakes, reservoirs and rivers following the death of a 12-year-old girl in Manchester as well as the death of two men aged 25 and 26 in Torbay, Devon, who died after being pulled from the sea at Babbacombe. 

At Glastonbury this year organisers have warned music lovers to stay safe in the sun, with what could be the hottest ever year for the festival ever, as free sun tan lotion is handed out to those attending the event today.

Across Europe, temperatures have also hit record heights today climbing to 112F in France, beating the previous record of 111.4F in 2003.

Warnings have also been issued by Public Health England, which currently has a Level 2 heat health risk in place with children and the elderly in the south west, west midlands and south east being between 60 and 80 per cent likely to be at serious risk of suffering from the heat. 

Those looking to head to the beach today have been hit by traffic on the M5 heading to Devon and Cornwall. This morning there was around 14 miles of slow and queuing southbound traffic as many flocked to coastal areas.

An enormous reservoir of hot air from the Sahara has engulfed much of Europe this week with temperatures set to reach up to 88F at the weekend, with three deaths having been confirmed today.

Earlier this morning poppy fields in Worcestershire were illuminated bright red as the sun reigned down on them, making them stand out even more than usual. 

Forecasters are urging Glastonbury-goers to remember their sun cream and warning parents to keep young children out of the sun as the UK prepares for a possible record-breaking June day on Saturday. 

Revellers woke up to sweltering temperatures this morning after camping over night in tents. Organisers of the infamous festival took to handing out free sun cream today to cope with what could be the ‘hottest ever’ Glastonbury on record.  

The Met Office said that UV levels would be really high and that festival goers should stay hydrated, apply sun cream and wear sunglasses. 

Meanwhile police around the country have warned against swimming in open water in hot weather, highlighting the risks to safety. 

Figures indicate that a total of 585 people drowned in the UK including a spate of open water accidents in rivers and reservoirs last summer. 

There were worrying scenes in Devon when a child at Oddicombe beach in Torquay was pictured perilously close to being swept away by rough seas today not far from where the two men in their 20s died yesterday.

A witness said: ‘A woman and boy were running up and down the jetty being hit by huge breakers. At one point he fell over and got soaked.

‘The woman just stood there while the tot ran down the jetty. It looked incredibly dangerous in light of recent events. The unpredictable sea could have swept them away so easily.’ 

Other stunning shots from this week shows the iconic Battersea Power Station in London illuminated as the sun set over it on Thursday evening.

The shot of the grade-two listed building shows that while temperatures in the UK are unlikely to rival all-time records in France, Brits have not gone short on their share of the sun.

The heat will not stop builders at work transforming the former coal-powered plant – which generated its last burst of electricity in 1983 – into plush flats and offices already snapped up by the likes of Apple.

The heat could however prove fatal for children and the elderly with Public Health England warning the south west, west midlands and south east are most likely to suffer from the heat over the weekend. 

A 12-year-old girl died yesterday in Manchester after getting into difficulty while swimming in the River Irwell in Bury, Greater Manchester. 

Emergency services quickly responded and underwater search teams discovered the body of a 12-year-old girl. Police have now urged people not to swim in lakes, reservoirs or rivers during the hot weather. 

It comes as two men died in Devon yesterday after they were pulled from the sea at Anstey’s Cove, Torquay.

In Europe the Saharan Bubble has seen conditions reach a sweltering 113F (45C), killing animals in Spain and causing wildfires in Greece and Germany. 

This is while France recorded its all-time hottest temperature of 112F (44.3C) as the country and much of Europe basked in an early summer heatwave.

The scorching temperature was recorded in the southeastern town of Carpentras and beat the previous record for France of 111.4F (44.1C) recorded in Saint-Christol-les-Ales and Conqueyrac during the notorious August 2003 heatwave.

Meteo-France forecaster Etienne Kapikian said it was ‘very probable’ that the record would be beaten again Friday as it was still relatively early in the day.

‘[The temperature] will continue to climb and, in some places, we could pass 44 degrees Celsius,’ he said. 

Its national weather service upped the alert level from orange to red for the departments of Herault, Gard, Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhone warning ‘all members of the public should be concerned, even if they are in good health’. 

The same hot air from the 2,000-mile wide African plume will push eastwards on Saturday, when the Met Office says the highest temperatures will be in London, Lincolnshire and the south east and could smash the record of 96F (35.6C) set in Southampton on June 28 1976. 

Recent downpours combined with this week’s heat will also mean an invasion of mosquitoes as the week draws to a close and July begins.   

Coastal areas in the north east of England and Scotland will be cheated out of the good weather, with easterly winds meaning they get highs of just 53F (12C) while the rest of the country boils.

It will still be a heatwave, however, as long as London reaches 82F (28C), the south east 80F (27C) and the rest of the country 78F (26C) or 77F (25C), according to the Met Office criteria. 

High pressure across the south west means there are severe wind warnings in place for Devon and Cornwall until midday tomorrow, where wind speeds could reach 50mph. 

Many took to social media today to discuss the heat with many complaining that they were not used to the warm weather and didn’t really know how to deal with it. 

One Twitter user called Ori said: ‘Can UK weather just like tone it down a little please cause i’m not built for this.’ 

Another added: ‘It’s like a heatwave outside. 23 degrees outside! #ukweather.’ 

Another user called Gem said: ‘Oh I do love productive days. Sun is shining, weather is lush, UK if you stayed this way I wouldn’t constantly jet off’. 

This is while Michael C Thomas said: ‘Shaping up to be a hot one in the #UK this #weekend. And the weather looks good too! Have a #FabulousFriday everybody.’ 

However, for those who can’t handle the heat,  it will cool off slightly on Sunday, with a good amount of sunshine and highs of 75F (24C). 

On Sunday northern England and Scotland will see a switch of conditions, with western coasts getting the cold winds experienced by the east and vice versa.  

The Western Isles will feel extremely chilly for the time of year, while the east coast of Scotland will enjoy temperatures way into the seventies. 

Tourist routes are expected to become breakdown hotspots this weekend when soaring temperatures cause misery for motorists.

Tyre blow outs, overheating engines and not having enough fuel to complete a long journey are among the common causes of breakdowns during hot weather, the RAC said.

The firm attended twice the expected number of call outs in tourist destinations such as northern Devon, North Wales, Pembrokshire, Canterbury and the North York Moors during the final weekend of June 2018 amid heatwave conditions.

A similar scenario is expected this weekend with temperatures forecast to exceed 30C in some places.

RAC patrol of the year Ben Aldous said: ‘This week’s soaring temperatures will also be a recipe for a soaring number of breakdowns in certain parts of the country, and it’s a sad reality that some drivers will likely encounter an unwelcome and unscheduled stop at the side of the road.

‘They will have to hope they can find some safe shelter from the sun, but it could still mean they suffer some day trip distress.

‘Vehicles can suffer all sorts of problems when the mercury climbs, but it’s really those that are older or haven’t been as well looked after that run the risk of getting into the most trouble.

‘We also know from previous years that it’s roads to the beaches and other beauty spots like the Moors, Lake District and Highlands that see the largest numbers of stranded drivers.

‘Yet checking simple things like coolant and oil levels, as well as tyre tread and pressure, can stack the odds of a smooth journey in every driver’s favour and prevent a breakdown happening in the first place.’

Public Health England has a Level 2 heat health risk in place, which means hospital patients, children and the elderly in the south west, west midlands and south east are between 60 and 80 per cent likely to be at serious risk of suffering from the heat.  

During a previous heatwave in August 2003, a 10-day heatwave resulted in 2,000 deaths with forecasters warning the most vulnerable could see their lives at risk. 

The scorching conditions will also come with a price of high pollen and UV levels as well as risks of further bug infestations.  

Residents in Avonmouth are so fed up with flies swarming around their homes they have threatened to withhold council tax until something is done about them. 

The insects have been found inside kettles, toilet bowls and cups of tea. Sticky fly traps have been covered in minutes and some families have even resorted to eating at their dinner tables covered in massive nets.

Affected residents say the problem is so bad they can’t eat or sleep in their homes and have blamed the various waste treatment facilities in Avonmouth as the cause. 

This is while the wet start to the summer sent ice cream, beer and burger sales plummeting on this time last year as shoppers turned to soup to cope with the unseasonable conditions.

Grocers enjoyed only modest growth of 1.4 per cent year on year over the quarter to June 16, largely down to last year’s bumper summer which included soaring temperatures and the build-up to the men’s FIFA World Cup, according to analysts Kantar.

Ice cream sales over the last month were £15 million lower than the same time last year, while beer was down £17 million and burgers fell £6 million. Instead, shoppers turned to comfort food as the rain fell, with fresh and tinned soup sales up by 8 per cent and 16 per cent respectively. 

Aldi attracted 883,000 more shoppers over the quarter, extending its market share by 0.5 percentage points on last year to 7.9 per cent. Lidl also enjoyed another strong period, with sales up by 7.5 per cent and market share reaching 5.7 per cent.

However, supermarket shelves could be raided for ice cream and cold drinks over the weekend as temperatures are set to remain warm in most regions following the violent thunderstorms brought by the Sahara Bubble, but later in the week there will be a sharp divide right down the middle of Britain. 

Yesterday western areas will had above average temperatures, with the Met Office predicting below average in the east.

As the week progresses, the heatwave will shift from west to east, leaving Belfast, Cardiff and Bristol in the cold by the weekend.  

Met Office forecaster Matthew Box said: ‘There is an enormous reservoir of warm air across Europe at the moment. 

‘On Friday we will have high pressure over the UK and low pressure out in the Atlantic, and that will bring settled weather conditions across the UK and an easterly flow of air across the southern half of the country.

‘Those easterly winds are drawing that warm air from the near continent and that reservoir across the UK and that’s why we’re getting those warm temperatures.

‘We are looking at 28 or 29 degrees (82-84F), perhaps peaking at 30 here or there on Friday and that will be across western or south-western parts of the UK.

‘Then we could see 30 or 31 across eastern areas of England; London and the Home Counties through Lincolnshire and parts of Yorkshire, on Saturday.’ 

Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond added: ‘There’s 30 per cent chance of temperatures higher than the 35.6C June record on Saturday. 

‘Highs will be widely over 30C in the South-East. 

‘Friday has a chance of 31C in the South-West, so Glastonbury has a chance of reaching its 31.2C record temperature. 

‘Heat from Africa could challenge all-time records across Europe, including France’s 44.1C temperature record, with the mid-40s possible in France and Spain.’ ends 

Met Office spokesman Nicola Maxey added that hay fever sufferers should take care, saying: ‘People who suffer from hay fever might feel quite uncomfortable.’ 

The first Government heat health warning of the year put hospitals on alert for an increase in admissions and ordered health and social workers to prepare to make daily contact with the ill, vulnerable and elderly.  

Despite a wet start, the Met Office said summer is ten times more likely to be much-hotter-than-average than much-cooler-than-average across June, July and August.

Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: ‘Warm air from north Africa will bring an extensive heatwave to large parts of western and central Europe, with highs into the 40s (104F) in Germany and France. 

By Friday and Saturday sees the chance of 34C (93.2F), and possibly warmer if there is more sunshine and less cloud in the west, which is forecast to be the hottest area.

‘It will be very humid, with thunderstorms until Tuesday bringing the risk of localised flooding, and showers popping up later in the week.  

‘Glastonbury has wet ground and risks thundery showers before the festival and occasional showers during the event, but will be in the region with the hottest temperatures – so pack wellies and sun cream.’

Mr Partridge continued: ‘An extensive heatwave is on the way for much of the UK for the best part of a week. ‘Heat from north Africa will cover a big area of Europe, with up to 41C (106F) in western Germany and France.’  

Boy, 17, dies of heat exhaustion in Spain as the country battles wildfires and the rest of Europe sizzles in Saharan Bubble heatwave – with France set for its hottest day ever with record temperatures of up to 113F 

A 17-year-old boy has died of heat exhaustion in the early hours in Spain as Europe continues to fry in baking temperatures.

The child was rushed to hospital in the southern city of Cordoba after collapsing while he worked in the countryside.

Officials said he felt dizzy and jumped into the swimming pool at the property where he was working.

The death comes as Europe is set to face sizzling heat on Friday, with wildfires in Spain and record-breaking temperatures expected for France as the Saharan Bubble comes to a boil.

The unnamed teenager, who was from the village of Castro del Rio in Cordoba province which is famed for its olive oil and furniture made from olive oil, died at 1.25am at Cordoba’s Reina Sofia Hospital.

The regional Junta de Andalucia government said it ‘regretted the youngster’s death and sent its condolences to his family and friends for their loss’ in a statement.

The death of an 80-year-old man in Valladolid, northern Spain, has also been blamed on the heat.

He had been walking to the dentist’s when he collapsed around 6pm on Thursday in the city centre.

Police sources said they believed he had been wearing too many clothes for the 99F (37C) temperature at the time.

A 50-year-old who was working in the countryside has also been hospitalised in Murcia in south-east Spain after falling ill.

He was taken to hospital from a health centre and his condition has been described as serious and he is in intensive care.

Police and Civil Guard in Montuiri in Majorca are also investigating whether a 60-year-old Argentinian’s death is the result of a heatwave.

The results of a post-mortem due to be carried out on Thursday have not yet been released.

Madrid was expected to see 106F (41C) heat on Friday, with Zaragoza baking in up to 109F (43C).

As many as 33 of the 50 Spanish provinces face extreme temperatures, which could reach 111F (44C) in Girona.

Governments warned citizens to take extra precautions, with the week-long heatwave causing a build-up of pollution and fears of an increase in emergency calls across Europe.

French meteorologists have forecast temperatures that may exceed 113F (45C) on Friday – a high never seen in mainland France.

The country has issued red heatwave alerts for the first time ever as southern regions brace for the weather.

Its national weather service upped the alert level from orange for the departments of Herault, Gard, Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhone warning ‘all members of the public should be concerned, even if they are in good health’.

A large area of southern France has been issued with a red alert – indicating a ‘dangerous weather phenomenon’ – for the first time since the warning system was brought in in 2004. 

However, French winemakers have welcomed the heat, saying weather could produce a superior vintage.

France’s current record was set in August 2003 in the southern region of Montpellier and Nimes, when the thermometer hit 111F (44C).

Meteorologist Christelle Robert said: ‘To beat this record so early in the year would be exceptional.’

The average maximum temperature recorded in France on Wednesday of 95F (35C) was already a record for the month of June, said state weather forecaster Meteo France.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned that such extreme weather is likely to become more frequent as a result of global warming.

‘We will need to change our set-up, our way of working, build differently,’ he said, stressing a necessary ‘adaption of society and its habits.’

French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said on Thursday people had to be prepared for the peak of the heatwave and expressed irritation that some appeared not to be listening to advice.

She complained about parents leaving their children in the car and joggers exercising in the midday heat.

The warning came as Spain continued to battle fierce forest fires brought about by the extreme heat – with farm animals roasting alive.

Blazes have also broken out in Greece and Germany as Europe suffers through an ‘unprecedented’ spell of June heat.

On Wednesday Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic recorded their highest-ever June temperatures.

The worst wildfire, in Torre del Espanol in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region, raged out of control, devouring land despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters and soldiers.

Catalonia’s forest agent service said the fire likely began when an ‘improperly managed’ pile of manure at a chicken farm self-combusted under the sun.

Some 350 firefighters backed by around 230 soldiers and 15 aerial tanker aircraft were at the scene of the blaze on Thursday.

But officials have admitted the fire – fanned by strong winds and soaring temperatures – was ‘getting bigger’ and warned it could eventually destroy 20,000 hectares in what presented an ‘extreme risk.’

‘The situation is critical,’ said fire service chief Antonio Ramos. ‘We haven’t seen a fire like this (in the region) in 20 years.’

Dozens have been evacuated, water-dropping aircraft were helping emergency crews on the ground and distressing images showed farm animals lying dead after being caught up in the blaze. 

The region’s interior minister Miquel Buch said the fire may have been caused by ‘an accumulation of manure in a farm that generated enough heat to explode and generate sparks.’ 

With temperatures expected to reach up to 108F (41C) on Friday, Spain has issued a ‘red level’ warning to its population.

Firefighters in Greece battled to contain a blaze near an arms factory just 30 miles from Athens with the fire having forced the evacuation of a small refugee camp. 

Wildfires are common during Greece’s hot, arid summers and last year, 101 people died after a blaze swept through a seaside resort east of the capital.

Elsewhere, the Italian city of Milan saw a 72-year-old homeless man die at the main train station after falling ill due to the heatwave, the local authorities said.

As Germans attempted to cool off amid scorching temperatures, at least four people died in bathing accidents in different parts of the country on Wednesday.

Some areas of the country were experiencing water shortages and some residents in the North Rhine-Westphalia state were told to only use drinking water for vital purposes or face a 1,000- euro (£1,021) fine.

There has been no coordinated shutdown of schools but some have closed in parts of France, while others advised parents to keep children at home.

In Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Strasbourg, authorities have banned the most-polluting cars from the roads.

Residents of the French city of Grenoble were unable to use two municipal swimming pools despite the record temperatures, due to a row sparked by use of the full-body Islamic burkini swimsuit.

Lifeguards had asked for the shutdown after Muslim women clad in burkinis had gone to swim in defiance of a municipal ban.