Harrogate hotter than Brazil - prepare for another scorcher

The mercury neared 30C in our district on Tuesday, with families, workers and schoolchildren all bidding to escape their homes, offices and schools in a bid to bask in the stunning sunshine.

Stay safe during the heatwave

Employers are being urged to allow staff to travel outside rush hour to avoid overheating on crowded public transport, amid soaring temperatures.

Public Health England has warned that today’s expected heatwave could trigger a national alert, warning of a threat to health.

Dr Angie Bone, head of extreme events at PHE, said the heat could be dangerous for older people, young children and those with serious illnesses, and urged employers to be flexible.

She said: “During very hot weather, pregnant women and people who have chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal conditions, diabetes or Parkinson’s disease, may experience discomfort if indoor temperatures are particularly hot and in using public transport.

“Employers should ensure indoor areas are kept cool and consider allowing these individuals to travel to or from their place of work during

cooler, or less busy times of the day.

“For those working or exercising outdoors, strenuous physical exertion during the hottest part of the day should be kept to a minimum.”

Yesterday, temperatures soared across the region, with the mercury hitting a high of 28.1C at Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire, at 3pm.

John Griffiths, a forecaster at MeteoGroup, said there was the potential for temperatures to hit the 30s across inland Yorkshire today. “It’s looking particularly warm, with inland areas really heating up,” he said.

Anyone wishing to cool off should head for the coast, where it is expected to be a more bearable 23C or 24C. The heatwave is being caused by a warm front and tropical continental air mass from Europe pushing across the country, bringing high temperatures, humidity and possibly Saharan sand.