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As rising temperatures continue to impact the UK, hundreds of schools have arranged for partial or complete closures, while several train operators, including the country’s largest, have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel. On Tuesday, the highest temperature reached 34.6°C in Wisley, Surrey. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland and Scotland experienced their warmest days of the year, recording 28.1°C and 29°C respectively, with Wales reaching 32.2°C. The heatwave shows no signs of easing, as forecasts predict temperatures could climb to approximately 37-38°C in southern England on Wednesday.
The Met Office has issued an exceptional red extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening. This alert signals a severe threat to life due to an intense spell of hot and humid weather particularly affecting southern and central England and south Wales. Temperatures could peak as high as 39°C in southern England, and the combination of heat and elevated humidity may lead to a “feels like” temperature close to 41°C. The warning cautions that serious health risks, including possible loss of power and essential services such as water supplies, may occur because heat-sensitive infrastructure could fail. Moreover, an influx of visitors to coastal areas, lakes, and rivers increases the risk of water safety incidents.
Although the UK’s highest June temperature record from 1976 of 35.6°C is likely to be broken, maximum temperatures are expected to remain below the all-time peak of 40.3°C recorded in 2022. While temperatures in southeastern England fell short of earlier predictions on Tuesday, affected by overnight rainfall and localized flooding, night-time temperatures are expected to stay high throughout this week, potentially not dropping below 20°C in some locations, resulting in tropical nights.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also issued a red heat health alert effective from 1 a.m. Wednesday until 11 p.m. Thursday. Prof Robin May, UKHSA’s chief scientific officer, described this as only the agency’s second issuance of such a warning, the first being in July 2022. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he emphasized the widespread threat from the heatwave, warning that even typically resilient and healthy adults should take precautions. NHS officials, including Matthew Hopkins from the acute and ambulance network, anticipate a rise in demand on emergency services during this period.
In response, over 300 schools across England and Wales plan to either close for part of the week or dismiss students early to protect them from the extreme heat, with some institutions allowing pupils to wear more comfortable PE kits instead of full uniforms. The Department for Education has not formally recommended school closures but has issued guidelines on managing high temperatures. Travel disruptions are also anticipated across all modes—road, rail, and air. On the National Rail network, passengers are advised to avoid non-essential journeys and carry water due to risks such as rail buckling and overhead line expansion caused by the heat.
GTR, the UK’s largest rail operator, announced suspensions of the Gatwick Express on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons but confirmed that alternative services will remain operational via Thameslink and Southern trains. Other rail companies, including Avanti West Coast and Chiltern Railways, have also cut back services significantly during the heatwave. Meanwhile, the RAC expects a notable increase in vehicle breakdowns as temperatures reach their peak, already handling about 10% more incidents than is usual at this time of year.
The heat arrived following early morning thunderstorms that produced 29,000 lightning strikes in southern England, which led to flash flooding and widespread travel disruptions. The London Fire Brigade reported responding to 400 calls overnight, with some fires in London and Bristol believed to have been ignited by lightning. Power outages affected hundreds of homes in southwest England on Monday evening, according to the National Grid, further compounding the challenges posed by this exceptional weather event
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