The UK has witnessed its most scorching June day on record, with temperatures soaring to a sizzling 36.1C (97F) in Gosport, Hampshire, yesterday afternoon. This provisional figure surpasses the previous June record of 35.6C, set in both Southampton in 1976 and Camden in 1957.
As the mercury continued to rise, widespread disruption unfolded across England and Wales. Hundreds of schools closed their doors, while major transport networks advised passengers to only travel if absolutely necessary. Train operators South Western Railway and Avanti West Coast implemented reduced timetables to mitigate the impact on infrastructure and passenger safety, while in Wales, temperatures reached a sweltering 33.3C (92F) in Cardiff's Bute Park.
A red extreme heat warning – the second of its kind since 2021 – remains in effect for significant parts of south and central England and south Wales until Thursday at 11:59pm BST. Affected regions include London, the East Midlands, the east of England, south-east England, south-west England, and the West Midlands.
Forecasters predict a prolonged period of hot and humid weather, with temperatures potentially climbing to around 38C (100F) on Thursday and Friday. The Met Office's chief forecaster, Matthew Lehnert, highlighted that high humidity will make the heat feel "much more potent," with 'feels like' temperatures exceeding 40C in some areas.
The prolonged heatwave poses significant health risks, prompting warnings of "population-wide adverse health effects" and concerns over serious illness or danger to life. Authorities have urged changes in working practices, while an expected surge in coastal visits raises water safety fears. Emergency services launched a major rescue operation after a 15-year-old boy went missing while swimming in a nature reserve lake in Hampshire.