Drivers are being urged to have an umbrella in their car this Friday and over the weekend - even if there’s no rain forecast.
According to breakdown experts at the RAC, drivers should always be prepared for periods of especially hot weather, such as the like we’re seeing again this week as the UK endures its fourth heatwave of the summer. The hottest day of the week is forecast to be this Friday (August 15) where temperatures will peak in some areas at 31C.
The breakdown firm says drivers are 20% more likely to have a car issue in very hot weather, partly due to the strain the heat puts on car reliability, and partly because roads are much busier than usual as everyone goes out to enjoy the sun, leading to more time waiting in traffic. As well as keeping five essential items in cars, such as sun cream, drinking water, a coolbox and other key hot weather items, drivers have been told they should pack an umbrella in their vehicle, even if it’s not forecast to rain where you are.
It might sound strange, but the RAC says that an umbrella is a useful item to reduce the sun’s ‘ferocity’, especially if you need to wait in the baking sun with no shade on the side of a motorway after a breakdown. In this way, you can use an umbrella as a parasol to shield from sunburn while you wait.
The RAC says: “Carrying plenty of water for all passengers is a must, as is keeping sunscreen and a sun hat or even umbrella to hand to reduce the ferocity of the sun. When waiting for assistance, look for a safe location in the shade and well away from moving traffic."
According to fashion brand Solbari, there’s real science behind this, and it also offers especially adapted UV ray blocking umbrellas. It says: “Umbrellas are synonymous with rain, but is that about to change? More and more people are buying umbrellas not to protect themselves from the rain but from the sun.
“Depending on the size of your sun protective umbrella you can use it to protect yourself and others at the same time. Your friend will thank you at the end of the day when their skin has been protected from the sun’s UV rays.”
The Met Office is predicting temperatures will gradually increase this week until London sees a peak of 31C on Friday, before staying hot at the weekend, with temperatures around 26C to 30C.
The forecaster said about this coming weekend: “The weekend looks largely settled, with plenty of dry and sunny weather expected across the UK. Temperatures look to be near average in the north and east, but warm or very warm elsewhere, potentially peaking into the high 20s to low 30s in the south-west, where there will also be the possibility of some showers or thunderstorms at times.”