Soaring temperatures are expected to reach an unprecedented 40C in large parts of England next week. The Met office has issued a red extreme heat warning.

The Red Extreme heat national severe weather warning will cover Monday and Tuesday (18^th and 19^th July) for parts of central, northern, eastern and southeastern England.

Extreme heat events do occur within natural climate variation due to changes in global weather patterns. However, the increase in the frequency, duration, and intensity of these events over recent decades is clearly linked to the observed warming of the planet and can be attributed to human activity. 

Southern parts of Scotland have an Amber Warning for extreme heat.

The Met Office warning covers southern parts of Scotland including eastern parts of Dumfries and Galloway, much of the Scottish Borders and parts of East Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and Midlothian. While these areas will see more extreme temperatures, it is important to note that there will be high temperatures across much of the country, especially up the east coast to the Moray Firth. 

The Scottish Government’s Resilience (SGoRR) team have met to prepare for the consequences of the rising temperatures in many parts of Scotland.

The following guidance has been issued:

• stay indoors or shaded when the sun is at its hottest (11am – 3pm)
• drink plenty of cool fluids throughout the day
• eat cold foods with high water content such as salads and fruit
• take a cool shower, bath or body wash
• sprinkle water over skin or clothing, or keep a damp cloth on the back of your neck
• avoid alcohol – which can leave you dehydrated
• avoid extreme physical exertion

Children, babies and pets should not be left in parked cars which will heat up rapidly inside.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is urging the public to take extra care in the countryside to avoid wildfires breaking out.

People should also take care if they decide to cool down by taking a dip in open water.

The forecast for Orkney

Sunday rather cloudy with some scattered showers. Dry with bright and sunny spells turning quite widespread Monday. Warm Tuesday with increasing risk of low cloud and fog.