Turkish ’40C heat bomb’ set to hit UK next week with weather maps turning red

Summer isn't over yet.

Turkey is currently baking under intense heat, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 40C in its southern regions.

The 'heat bomb' is as a result of an Azores high-pressure system that's channeling hot African air into Turkey's southwest.

This wave of warmth is now predicted to reach British shores by next week, promising a spell of higher temperatures.

According to WXCharts, southern parts of the UK can expect to enjoy highs of 24C on Monday, with parts of the Midlands likely to experience similar conditions.

However, this Turkish thermal surge could drive temperatures even higher, especially in Kent and the southern coast.

With temperatures set to rise rapidly, households in the UK are being warned to keep their windows and curtains closed during the hot days.

While many harbour the belief that leaving your windows open to let a breeze in is the best way to keep your home cool during high temperatures, the opposite is actually the best way to ensure comfort and relief from the heat.

Advice from the UK Health Security Agency suggests that closing your windows and keeping the blinds down is the best way to make sure you arrive home to a cool and relieving home in the evening.

With highs of 27C in some parts of the UK, we’re all collectively dreading to go the bed in our sauna/bedroom at night.

Instead of opening your windows wide and inviting the heat in to engulf your home, it is much easier to prevent a room from getting hot by blocking direct sunlight.

Shutting blinds and curtains during the day can keep a room cool.

It’s also wise to open all internal doors if you’re trying to cool a room down, as this will maximise airflow through the house.

It is counter-intuitive to use appliances that generate heat in a room you are trying to cool, so keep this in mind before deciding to use ovens, hair dryers or other electrical appliances. 

Earlier this year, the UKHSA issued a ‘Beat the heat’ checklist to help people create the best conditions for surviving high temperatures at home.

The article lists seven things you can do to reduce heat in your home over the next couple of days.

• If possible, shade or cover windows.
• Open windows (when it is safe to do so) when the air feels cooler outside, for example at night, and try to get air flowing through the home.
• Use electric fans if the air temperature is below 35°C, but do not aim the fan directly at your body as this can lead to dehydration.
• Check that your heating is turned off.
• To reduce heat generated in the home, turn off lights and electrical equipment that are not in use and consider cooking at cooler times of the day.
• Move to a cooler part of the house, especially for sleeping if possible.
• It may be cooler outside in the shade or in a public building (such as places of worship, local libraries, or supermarkets) so consider a visit as a way of cooling down if you are able to safely travel there without putting yourself at more risk from the heat.

According to the Met Office, the weather will peak next week with 27C highs in London and the south.