UK SET FOR A SIZZLER --- temperatures soar to record-breaking highs.

SkyNews ^ | 08/04/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

Speed restrictions have been issued across Britain's rail network as temperatures soar to record-breaking highs.

With the mercury set to hit the mid-30s by midweek, rail operators have lowered the speed limit on the busiest routes because of fears the rails may buckle in the heat.

Long-distance Virgin services will be worst hit with extended journey times between London and Birmingham, Manchester, Crewe and Scotland.

Forecasters say Britain is set for the hottest week of the year - and possibly the hottest week ever.

Temperatures in the south-east could smash the previous 37.1C record set in Cheltenham 13 years ago.

Sky weather presenter Lisa Burke says there will be "copious amounts of sunshine" just about everywhere with temperatures rising through the week as the hot air drifts up from the continent.

"It's going to be hot, 35C in the South," Lisa said.

"We might even see the record broken in the south-east."

Network Rail says services between London and Birmingham will be reduced from half hourly to hourly, with a 60mph limit imposed along the West Coast main line from Euston to Crewe and the cross country network.

A 60mph restriction is also being imposed across southern England from 2pm until early evening.

Routes from London's Liverpool Street to Chelmsford and Norwich will also be affected.

Experts are warning people to take precautions in the sun and not to over-exert themselves.

Heat distress is especially likely in the large cities, they say.

"It will be hot and humid and almost uncomfortable in the evenings," Lisa said.

"London could be insufferable. It is important parents do not leave their children in the sun or their pets in cars."

While London sizzles, the exclusive department store Harrods is already preparing for Christmas. It is unveiling its Christmas World Department - 131 days before December 25.

Last Updated: 14:18 UK, Monday August 04, 2003

[bedolido]

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The heaters in their little cars don't work very well anyway...

[Afronaut]

HOly Mackeral it's Summer again! This is news.

[Right Wing Professor]

It's going to be hot, 35C in the South

95 F? That's hot?

[Semper Paratus]

A jump in the Channel or the North Sea should cool the blokes off.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Mid-70s is considered "hot" by some Brits.

[keithtoo]

Heck, it gets over 100 almost every summer in erstwhile cold places like Boston, or Montana.

It really amazes me that the Brits colonized all of those tropical regions so readily, but when the temperature gets above 85 degrees (F) at home, they dont know what to do.

[DPB101]

Its 308.1^o Kelvin.

In Bullhead city 95^o is springtime. Last night it was 102^o at 2 o'clock in the morning.

[Right Wing Professor]

It really amazes me that the Brits colonized all of those tropical regions so readily, but when the temperature gets above 85 degrees (F) at home, they dont know what to do.

Step 1: take the sweater off.

[Murtyo]

yea, in a costal climate with privailing winds off the ocean as far North as England is, 35C is exceptionally hot.

[Myrddin]

We've been in triple digits in Pocatello everyday since the end of June. Yesterday, August 3, was the first cool day in many weeks. We topped out at 77 degrees. My room air conditioner has been running constantly through all of July and produced no water at all. Yesterday, the cup filled to the max. I emptied it and it was 1/3 full after another 4 hours.

[gcruse]

This reminds me of a headline that one ran in the San Francisco Chronicle.

High temperature reaches 75 degrees.
No relief in sight.

[Prodigal Son]

The heaters in their little cars don't work very well anyway...

Jaguars, Rovers, Vauxhall, Landrover- these aren't exactly small cars. Lots of American makes are popular here as well.

[Prodigal Son]

HOly Mackeral it's Summer again! This is news.

It is here. In my part of the UK, summer means average daytime temps in the mid to high 60s. A few days ago it didn't climb out of the 50s. A hot day here is a rare and wondrous thing. Seeing the sun all day two days in a row is news here.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Just kiddin'
I'm a fan of English iron: A Mark VII, XK 150S, a big Healy, two E Types, a 441 Victor and an 850 Norton.
Also amongst these was a 122 Volvo that ran past 400,000 miles on the origonal main and rod bearings. I drove the Volvo when the Limeys were apart for various reasons.

[Wright is right!]

Cutting the speed limits for those train lines will definitely put a dent in travel. Most of those - if not all - are electrified and the trains simmer along at 125 mph. The jaunt from Liverpool St. Station to Norwich and back has made a splendid day trip for us to visit long-time friends of ours in the Somerleyton area when we're over there. With the trains running only 60 mph, the trip itself would consume most of the daytime.

Yes, temps like this are beastly to the English. Air conditioning is rarely needed in homes outside of large heat-islands such as big cities, and there are many older homes with no a/c. Indeed, there are a lot of homes in SPAIN with no a/c either, and temps in the 100's/mid 30's are commonplace. But the Spanish are used to it. The Brits certainly aren't.

Except for those Brits who've ex-patted to the Costa del Sol in Spain.

Michael

[jimt]

Not to lean on an old cliche, but it's not the heat, it's the humidity !

Hopefully the Brits won't have a steambath like we do in Houston. I left Houston one day when it was 85 degrees, and VERY uncomfortable. I landed in Phoenix where it was 104 degrees, and was comfortable enough for me to go for a walk !

Today's high in Houston is supposed to be 95 degrees, with a "heat index" of 108. To me it feels like 120.

Here's hoping the Brits high temps coincide with low humidity.