GH - UK Heatwave Case Study

When?

summer of 2018

peak temperature recorded

 38.5°C in Faversham, Kent, on July 25, 2018

Causes (meteorological factors)

• Jet stream patterns: the jet stream took an unusually northerly path over the UK, resulting in a high-pressure system

• Blocking weather systems: this high-pressure system prevented low-pressure systems, which typically bring cooler and wetter weather, from moving across the UK

• Global warming: modern heatwaves are 30 times more likely than they were in 1750 due to the effects of global warming, increasing the frequency and intensity of such events

Causes (climatic conditions)

Low rainfall: between June 1st - July 16th, only 47mm of rain was recorded, leading to extremely dry conditions that exacerbated the heat

Consequences (health and safety)

• spike in A&E admissions due to heat-related issues such as dehydration, heart failure, and kidney problems

• increased mortality - approximately 700 more deaths than the average for that time of year were recorded, primarily among vulnerable populations

Consequences (environmental)

• prolonged dry conditions led to several large fires on the Lancashire moors, including an extensive 18km2 wildfire on Saddleworth Moor near Manchester

• droughts exposed hidden archaeological sites and led to 50% drop in water levels at Burrator Reservoir in Dartmoor, revealing a drowned village

• Mediterranean plants thrived, but animals like badgers and hedgehogs struggled to find food due to the hard, baked ground

Consequences (infrastructure and economic)

• the extreme heat softened tarmac, causing incidents such as a bin lorry sinking into the road in Berkshire

• the hot weather boosted the production of certain goods like soft fruits and wine

• warnings of potential price increases for meat, vegetables and dairy products due to the lack of livestock feed

• heatwave led to a surge in house sales and domestic tourism, with two-thirds of Brits opting for UK holidays

Consequences (social/recreational)

• heat led to the Indian Cricket team’s match against Essex being reduced by one day due to the extreme conditions

Responses (water management)

• hosepipe bans were implemented in areas such as Northern Ireland and northwest England, affecting 7 million households

• Reservoir levels in northwest England dropped 17%, prompting measures to conserve water

Responses (firefighting and public safety)

• 100 soldiers were deployed to help tackle the fire at Saddleworth Moor

• High pollution alerts were issued in London due to the increased heat

Responses (agricultural support)

• farmers were allowed to extract more water from reservoirs to prevent crop failure

Responses (public health measures)

• Public Health England developed a heatwave plan to inform and guide the public and care home staff on mitigating health risks associated with extreme heat