During the ongoing Bank Holiday weekend heatwave, sleep experts caution against using fans while sleeping. The UK is bracing for scorching temperatures, with 18 counties projected to hit 34C or higher on Monday and Tuesday, potentially setting new record highs for May.
The Met Office anticipates temperatures reaching 35C on the hottest days, surpassing the current May record of 32.8C. The weather model indicates Lincolnshire could experience a surge to 34C on Monday, with most of central and southern England expecting temperatures in the low-30s. London and the south-west might see highs of 35C on Tuesday, with 18 English counties likely to hit 34C or above.
Despite the appeal of using fans to combat the warm nights, experts advise against it. Dr. Kiran Dintyala warns that fans circulating air can trigger allergies and asthma due to dust and pollen. Moreover, continuous airflow can dry out rooms, leading to issues like dehydration, dry eyes, sinus infections, bronchitis, and nosebleeds.
Sleeping with a fan on can result in a sore throat, especially for mouth breathers, and may cause muscle stiffness from prolonged exposure to cool air. It is recommended to keep fans off overnight, as emphasized by Martin Seeley, CEO of Mattress Next Day. Dust accumulation on fan blades can worsen allergies, while dehydration from poor sleep can increase daytime fatigue.
The dry air from fans can parch nasal passages, causing excessive mucus production and potential congestion. Overexposure to cool air can exacerbate muscle pains, so it’s best to avoid directing fans toward specific body areas throughout the night.
As the heatwave persists, the Met Office forecasts temperatures above 28C until Thursday, meeting the official heatwave criteria of three consecutive days above the threshold. The outlook for late May to early June suggests continued warm weather with occasional showers and thunderstorms.
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