Winter gritters will spread dust on melting roads as UK 40C heatwave smashes records

Gritting lorries will be brought out of storage to dump granite particles to stop softened bitumen sticking to car tyres in the coming days, as Britain deals with sweltering heat

Winter gritters will spread dust on melting roads after the Met Office issued a rare red alert for extreme temperatures nudging the 40.3C (104.5F) UK temperature record.

Gritting lorries will be brought out of storage to dump granite particles to stop softened bitumen sticking to car tyres in the coming days. Edmund King, AA president, said: “The main risk for drivers is patches of roads becoming tacky, affecting braking, steering and grip.

“If drivers come across a softened or damaged surface, slow down, avoid harsh braking or steering, and leave extra space from the vehicle in front.” Brits were told to brace for 72 hours of heat hell with 37C on Tuesday (June 23) and 40C on the cards on Wednesday (June 24) and Thursday.

And experts warned it is so hot sex could kill you. Folk risk heart attacks and fatal heatstroke from hot weather nookie, with the nation told to avoid “strenuous exercise.”

Sex trebles the risk of a heart attack, a study by top US university Harvard showed. A Harvard spokesperson said: “Men who experience possible cardiac symptoms during sex should interrupt the sexual activity at once.”

A study has identified 17 Brits who died from heart attacks during or just after sex. Two-thirds were men, with an average age of 38, St George’s University of London said.

And we’ll have sweltering sleepless nights for the rest of the week – with Britain as hot as 40C Death Valley, California, the world’s hottest place. The Met Office forecast temps will surge past the 35.6C June record, set in 1976 in Southampton.

Highs could beat Britain’s hottest day ever recorded, the 40.3C (104.5F) on July 19, 2022, at Coningsby, Lincs. Red heat alerts are in place for central and southern England and Wales tomorrow (Wed) and Thursday, with “a risk to life for even the healthy population”, the UK Health Security Agency said.

Even the North is due 37C by Thursday. Highs ease to 32C from Friday. Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: “40C is possible, 4.4C above the June record, which is truly astounding and a very serious event.”

Another Met Office forecaster said: “The peak of the heatwave is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures are expected to climb to at least 39C, with a chance of this being exceeded in places.”

BBC weatherman Simon King said: “Forecast models show potential for 40C, obliterating the June record and close to the all-time record of 40.3C. It’s incredible.”