Temperatures to bury Wales' hottest ever recorded temperature have been predicted ahead of Wales' amber heatwave. The latest forecast from BBC Weather suggests it could get as warm as 37C in some areas of Wales.
The prediction has been reported for the area of Monmouth, Monmouthshire, on Monday, July 18. Weatherman Derek Brockway said: "Blimey! Latest BBC Weather forecast for Monmouth predicts 36°C 97°F next Monday. That would be a new record for Wales." However, the forecast has increased by another degree since then.
This prediction would make Monmouth one of the warmest places in the UK on Monday and smashes the previous hottest day record from 1990. Wales' last hottest day saw a high of 35.2 on August 2, 1990 in Hawarden Bridge, Flintshire.
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The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to take precautions ahead of the incoming hot weather forecast. They said that warm weather generates an increase in calls to people with breathing difficulties. With 999 demand already high, and Covid-19 infections continuing to rise, the Trust is asking the public to take extra precautions to reduce pressure on the service. There were almost 2,000 calls to 999 on Sunday, which works out at around one call every minute.
The RNLI has also urged those heading into the water to cool off to do so responsibly, which includes visiting lifeguarded beaches, swimming between the red and yellow flags, and floating if you get into difficulty.
The amber weather warning from the Met Office was extended on Wednesday, July 13, to factor in predicted temperatures for Tuesday, July 19. It said: "Temperatures will rise again this weekend, most likely peaking on Monday or Tuesday, then most probably declining thereafter. Latest evidence supports the idea of a trend towards a slightly later onset of high temperatures.
"Some exceptionally high temperatures are possible both by day and by night; the cumulative effects of very warm nights (particularly in urbanised areas) and hot days are likely to bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure.
"Although most likely less exceptional, it should also be noted that very warm to hot conditions are also probable across the majority of the rest of the UK."
One of Wales' top doctors claims the extreme heat warning issued for Wales by the Met Office is likely to have a significant impact on society. Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Wales Chris Jones is urging people to take extra precautions and plan ahead to keep themselves and others safe. You can read more about what he said here.
Dr Jones said: "Extreme heat warnings are not issued lightly by the Met Office and the potential health risks need to be taken seriously. Very high temperatures can be dangerous for everyone but elderly people, children, those with chronic health problems and vulnerable people who may struggle to keep cool are at a higher risk."
The warning for Wales covers:
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
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