The plan aims to protect health in the face of heatwaves, with guidance for the general public, local authorities, the NHS, social care and other agencies, underpinned by an alert system triggered by extreme temperatures in the summer. PHE has over previous years warned that hot weather is … Grey reef sharks form lasting 'friendships,' according to scientists who found the...From courtship to copulation: Scientists capture the mysterious mating ritual of fruit flies that starts...Betelgeuse is NOT dimming! ... Over 2000 people died in the UK, with the country recording is first ever temperature over 100° Fahrenheit on 10 th August. While Britain is braced for its hottest day ever, Europe baked in a record-breaking heatwave in August 2003, which led to thousands of deaths and the drying out of lakes.. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes.

In the summer of 2003 an anticyclone We are no longer accepting comments on this article.Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media GroupDid climate change help modern man invent tools? At the moment, health officials rely on the Heatwave Plan (HWP) which was developed in 2003 following a severe heatwave in the UK, which accounted for more than 2,000 excess deaths. There were also heat-related deaths in the UK (2,000), Portugal (2,100), Italy (3,100), Holland (1,500) and Germany (300). More than 20,000 people died after a record-breaking heatwave left Europe sweltering in August 2003. The predominant heat was recorded in July and August, partly a result of the western European seasonal lag from the maritime influence of the Atlantic warm wate Temporary mortuaries were set up in refrigeration lorries. Statistics released on Friday show there were 2,045 more deaths than usual from 4 to 13 August, during which temperatures were above 30C. But a new study has revealed man-made climate change led to the death of hundreds of people across Europe sixteen years agoTemperatures in July 2003 were sizzling. The 2003 Heatwave It was the summer, scientists now realise, when global warming at last made itself unmistakably felt. This is an area the same size as Luxembourg. Air is moving around the high in a clockwise direction, bringing a hot, dry tropical continental air mass to the UK at this time. Ourexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. Effects of the heatwave. A heatwave in 2003 killed 506 people in Paris and 315 in London, experts have said in a new studyFrance was hardest hit and in Paris, the hottest city in Europe, 506 out of 735 summer deaths were due to a heatwave made worse by man-made climate change. Elderly people were most affected. This pattern occurred for much of the rest of the month.

Dr Mark McCarthy is a climate change expert who works for the Met Office. France reported 14 802 casualties using a method "Many countries are experiencing higher summer temperatures, including the UK. "It’s vital to ensure contingency plans continue to be evaluated and adapted, if necessary.”Hot weather can be difficult for most of us to deal with.But Ruth May, chief nursing officer for England, has warned the risk of serious illness is much higher for the elderly, children and young people, and those who already have health conditions including heart and breathing problems.She has urged everyone to take care, and encouraged people to keep an eye on their neighbours and relatives.It prompts fears that they may not be taking enough action to prevent themselves from the risks of hot weather.Just two out of five over-75s, who are considered vulnerable, said they believed high temperatures were a danger to their health.As a result many people took inadequate precautions against the heat. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. A public sign in Paris during the 2003 heatwave that reads: 'If you find a Parisian victim of the heat wave, dial the following number'Previous studies have attributed changes in heatwave frequency and severity to human-caused climate change, or demonstrated the effect of extreme heat on human mortality. The 2003 European heat wave led to the hottest summer on record in Europe since at least 1540. "That’s why we’re urging everyone to keep an eye on those you know who may be at risk this summer. If you’re able, ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support. Also take water with you when travelling and keep up to date with weather forecasts.”London Climate Action Week, beginning on July 1, will highlight the impacts of climate change like more frequent heatwaves which create increased risk from hot weather for people who live and work in the capital.Temperatures are expected to climb as high as 31C this weekend as the heatwave spreading over parts of Europe makes itself felt in Britain.An "enormous" reservoir of warm air that has triggered emergency measures in France is due to send the mercury shooting skywards, with temperatures peaking on Saturday.Highs of 30C could be seen for eastern parts as far north as Yorkshire, while temperatures will be in the upper 20s for revellers at the Glastonbury Festival.Western parts are expected to see the better weather on Friday, while the picture will switch around on Saturday.Met Office forecaster Matthew Box said: "We are looking at 28 or 29 degrees, perhaps peaking at 30 here or there on Friday and that will be across western or south-western parts of the UK.

Highest death toll from natural hazards in 50 years With a death toll estimated to exceed 30 000, the heat wave of 2003 is one of the ten deadliest natural disasters in Europe for the last 100 years and the worst in the last 50 years.