'Blood rain' could hit UK as thunderstorms move in
There's been a yellow warning for thunderstorms in the South East
Thunderstorms could bring “blood rain” to the UK this week as heavy rain mixes with a dust cloud, according to forecasters.
After we had the country's hottest day of the year on Tuesday with temperatures reaching 27.5 degrees, the Met Office has warned of heavy rain and even put a yellow weather warning out for thunderstorms in the south-east.
Heavy rain will fall during Wednesday and Thursday in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, while showers will also hit areas in Wales and central and south-west England.
What is 'blood rain'?
Blood rain is when the rain appears a red or orange colour,
According to the Met Office, “blood rain” occurs when relatively high concentrations of red coloured dust or particles get mixed with rain, giving it a red appearance as it falls.
And some of that could happen in the UK as downpours, lightning, strong winds and hail move in.
Richard Miles, of the Met Office, told the PA news agency: “There are some dust concentrations in the atmosphere above the UK at present which might well be washed out in the rain tonight".
Thunderstorms and heavy rain
A yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued from Wednesday evening to the early hours of Thursday in the south-east, including London, saying people should expect to see disruption to travel.
Richard Miles, of the Met Office gave an update: “There’s a warning out for thunderstorms for the south-eastern third of England tonight, and a squally cold front will bring wind and sometimes heavy rain to Northern Ireland and north west Scotland this evening.
“Away from these features it will be mostly fine and dry today and tomorrow, temperatures up to 23-24C in London and the South East, high teens or low 20s elsewhere.”
Warning for disruption in the south-east
The thunderstorms may cause spray and sudden flooding, leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
There may also be delays or cancellations to train and bus services, flooding to homes and businesses, power cuts and damage due to lightning strikes.
Advice for sleeping as the temperature warms up
1) Cool your sheets
While it would be great to put all of your bedding in the fridge or freezer before you go to bed, a cool over-sheet or cool pillow cases will help. Stick them in a plastic bag and then in your fridge or freezer for around 10 minutes before you go to bed and they will cool you down.
2) Sleep alone
Even if you normally share your bed with your significant other, body heat can make a hot night even hotter. Maybe it's time for one of you to sleep in the spare room for the night.
3) Tepid shower
Don't be fooled into having a cold shower, a tepid shower is better at lowering your body temperature. If you have a cold shower your body can overcompensate and make you even hotter!
4) Avoid alcohol
Although it's very tempting to enjoy a cold alcoholic drink when it comes to bedtime you might regret it as alcohol dehydrates.
5) DIY air conditioning
When a simple fan isn't enough to cool you down, try filling a pan or bowl with ice cubes and putting that in front of the fan. The fan's breeze will then create a cooling mist.
6) Use sheets instead of a duvet
Get rid of your winter duvet and maybe even your summer duvet, swapping it for a thin sheet to keep you cool.
7) Cool your feet
Dipping your feet in a bucket of cold water before you go to sleep can help cool down your body, but make sure you don't spill it or get water all over your bed!
8) Windows and curtains
Make sure you keep the windows and curtains closed during the day to keep the heat out and then open them when it's cooler. This will help circulate the cooler air.
9) Drink plenty of water
Aim to drink at least two litres of fluids a day if you can, stay away from caffeine and alcohol.
10) Cool your pulse points
Put a cold flannel on your wrist and neck to cool down your body.
11) Cold water bottle
We've all heard of a hot water bottle, why not do the same with cold water when it's hot weather. Alternatively you could use an icepack in towel. However, remember not to put ice directly onto your skin!
12) Fan cross flow
If you have a fan or blow heater then put it on the cool setting and create a cross flow. Point it so that the warm air at the back is pushed out of an open window, that way it will keep your room cool.