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21/06/2005: "Heatwave set to 'last until the weekend'"
Don't put your sun cream away just yet - most of Britain is likely to sizzle until the weekend, forecasters said yesterday.
The heatwave, fuelled by sub-tropical winds from the Azores, sent the mercury soaring to 33.1°C (91.6°F) on Sunday. It will be cooler today across England and Wales but will warm up again tomorrow and on Thursday.
However, Northern Ireland and Scotland could see heavy rain, the Met Office said. North Yorkshire had nearly a month's worth of rain in just three hours on Sunday. The deluge was so sudden - 27mm fell in just 15 minutes of torrential rain - there was no time to issue warnings.
The floods had already washed away roads and cut off villages by the time the Environment Agency posted a warning. 'It did come a bit out of the blue,' said spokesman Craig McGarvie, adding that global warming might be to blame. 'A lot places that have been flooded are not normally flooded.'
(this article was taken from thisistravel.com and was written by Metro)
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Alpine Sports Checklist
- Insure a good time: Don’t run the risk of financial
ruin just because you think ‘It'll Never Happen To Me’. Alpine
holidays are expensive investments with gear, lessons, ski passes, etc –
so don’t allow it to be any more costly than is necessary. Think ahead,
take out the most appropriate Travel Insurance,
something that will cover all your expensive equipment, yet ensure that you
are not left to pay a monstrous bill in the event of an accident on the slopes.
- Hasta la pista: The more confident skier / boarder may
be tempted by the powder and adrenaline offered off-piste … if so take
precautions. Where possible go with a registered guide or instructor, someone
who knows the area and the dangers it presents. At the very least don’t
go alone. Tell others, outside of your party, where you’re going and
when to expect you back, so that in the event of an accident or ordnance failure,
you’re not forgotten.
- Stay warm in the storm: Prior to embarking on your winter
snow break, make sure you have all the right gear. Snow is wet and cold so
it’s important to have enough layers and waterproof equipment for the
duration of your stay. Experts have advised that it is best to wear a number
of thin layers (especially children) as opposed to one or two heavy ones.
- Your name’s not down: Don’t be the one left
miles from home trying to persuade a lift attendant (who may not speak English)
to let you on the lift because you have lost your ski pass. These are very
expensive yet very easy to lose. Ensure that yours is kept in a safe place
… a lanyard round your neck represents a good investment.
- Respect to your elders: The mountains can be a very dangerous
place especially in the winter, so its important to show respect and heed
any good advice offered. Authorities in all resorts will publish information
and warnings where necessary on avalanche probability, visibility, ice levels
and any other dangers specific to certain areas or times.
- Be Prepared: The cold mountain air can often disguise the
potency of the sun’s rays and can lead to a badly burnt face. Sun block
and lipsil are a must for a day on the slopes (especially for children) and
a good supply of water is advisable as dehydration is a very real threat at
high altitudes. An energy snack is also a good addition to ensure your blood
sugar levels remain high.
- On the piste: For many it’s the apres-ski that makes
the holiday but it’s important to know your limits whilst on the slopes,
especially given the altitude factor. Excessive alcohol consumption prior
to alpine activities not only puts you at risk but also those around you.
It can also, in some resorts, lead to the confiscation of lift passes, and
moreover in the event of any accident have a considerable affect on your insurance
cover.
- Unfit for the chair lift: While many consider alpine pursuits
to be leisurely and relaxing, it is important to remember that they do in
fact involve hours of physical activity. Good health care precautions and
a reasonable level of fitness are therefore necessary to avoid any problems
on the slopes. Visit your GP prior to travelling.
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