𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The sun in the UK is strong enough to cause sunburn, with children especially vulnerable to skin damage.

To reduce your risk, follow these sun safety measures:

• Stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest
• Wear loose, light-coloured clothing made from tightly woven fabric, such as long-sleeved shirts, trousers or long skirts
• Protect your head, neck, face and ears with a wide-brimmed hat

• Use sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun
• Apply sunscreen generously and top it up regularly, especially after swimming or using a towel. The NHS recommends using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and a UVA rating of four or five stars.

The government advises staying hydrated during hot weather by drinking fluids regularly throughout the day, particularly if you are active.

Water, diluted squash and lower-fat milks are recommended. While fruit juice, smoothies and soft drinks can seem refreshing, they often contain high levels of sugar, which may contribute to dehydration.

It’s best to limit how much of these you consume and opt for diet, sugar-free or no-added-sugar alternatives instead.

If you’re heading out, take a refillable bottle of water with you, and carry extra if travelling by car or public transport.

Alcohol can dehydrate the body, so choosing alcohol-free drinks or alternating alcoholic drinks with water is advised.

Wimbledon is braced for its hottest ever start with London set to endure a searing heatwave that is forecast to peak as play begins at the All England Club on Monday.

With the mercury expected to rise into the mid-30s Celsius on Monday after a hot weekend, players, organisers, ticket holders and those queuing face a challenging day.

While elite players are likely to cope with the expected heat, Wimbledon organisers are taking precautions to protect the general public and staff, including ball boys and girls (BBGs).

“Adverse weather is a key consideration in our planning for The Championships, and we are prepared for the predicted hot weather, with comprehensive plans in place for guests, players, staff and the BBGs,” a club statement said.

More free water refill stations will be provided around the grounds and real-time weather alerts will be announced on big screens and via the tournament website.

Staff shifts will also be adjusted to mitigate the heat while ‘shade-mapping’ will help people get away from the sun.

While anyone can feel unwell in the heat, some people are more vulnerable. These include:

• Older adults, especially those aged 65 and over
• Babies and young children under five
• People with long-term health conditions such as heart or lung problems, dementia, diabetes, kidney or mobility issues
• Those taking certain medications or living with serious mental health conditions
• Anyone already unwell and dehydrated, for example, due to sickness or diarrhoea
• People who are dependent on alcohol or drugs
• Individuals who are very active outdoors, such as runners, cyclists or manual workers
• Those without stable housing, including rough sleepers or people in temporary accommodation
• People living alone who may struggle to look after themselves during extreme heat

Heat exhaustion happens when the body gets too hot and struggles to cool down. It’s not usually serious if you cool down within 30 minutes, but if untreated, it can develop into heatstroke, according to the NHS.

Signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Headache
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Heavy sweating
• Strong thirst

Heatstroke is more serious and occurs when the body’s temperature rises to dangerous levels and can no longer cool itself.

• Confusion or disorientation
• Loss of coordination
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fast breathing or shortness of breath
• Hot, dry skin (not sweating)
• Seizures

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Call 999 immediately and try to cool the person down while waiting for help.

Searing temperatures of 32C hitting the UK this week have been made 100 times more likely due to human-caused climate change, scientists have warned.

A rapid study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research group found the current heatwave in the south-east of England was around 10 times more likely than without human activity warming the planet.

Dr Fredi Otto, from Imperial College London, underscored the severity, warning that heatwaves are “silent killers” and that the impacts of heat are “severely underestimated”, leaving the UK unprepared for the conditions expected to persist into the weekend.

Experts highlighted that older people, along with those suffering from heart issues, respiratory illnesses, and conditions such as diabetes, face the highest risk of death.

They also noted that heatwaves occurring earlier in the summer are particularly deadly, as the population is less acclimatised to coping with warmer conditions.

The researchers also identified wildfires as an “emerging risk” for the UK during summer, with conditions increasingly resembling those found in southern Europe.

They urged the public to exercise extreme caution with barbecues, cigarettes, and glass, all of which can ignite fires in the hot, dry weather.

Here is AccuWeather’s forecast for cities across Europe today:

• Amsterdam: 23C
• Athens: 39C
• Barcelona: 30C
• Belgrade: 33C
• Berlin: 23C
• Bratislava: 30C
• Brussels: 24C
• Bucharest: 36C
• Budapest: 31C
• Kyiv: 24C
• Lisbon: 34C
• Madrid: 37C
• Paris: 28C
• Prague: 27C
• Rome: 35C
• Sofia: 34C
• Vienna: 30C