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The United Kingdom recorded its warmest June day ever on Wednesday, with temperatures reaching 36.1°C (97°F) in Gosport, Hampshire. This unprecedented heat led to widespread closures, with hundreds of schools shutting their doors across England and Wales. Additionally, train services were affected, prompting officials to urge passengers to avoid non-essential travel during the extreme heat. The Met Office anticipates that the high temperatures will persist through Thursday and Friday, with the mercury potentially climbing as high as 38°C.
A red extreme heat warning has been extended across various regions including parts of south and central England, south Wales, the East Midlands, and London. This warning remains active until 23:59 BST on Thursday, highlighting the severity of the weather conditions. The Met Office called the weather an “exceptional spell of hot and humid weather” likely to impact large portions of the population. Notably, this is only the second occasion for such a red warning since the introduction of extreme heat alerts in 2021. According to Professor Stephen Belcher, the chief scientist at the Met Office, climate change is fueling the increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves. He remarked, “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering.”
The highest temperatures on Wednesday were concentrated in southern England, with places such as Wisley, Surrey hitting 36°C, Wiggonholt, West Sussex reaching 35.9°C, and Charlwood in Surrey at 35.7°C. Meanwhile, Cardiff Bute Park recorded Wales’s warmest day of the year so far at 33.3°C. The UK’s previous June record stood at 35.6°C, set in Southampton in 1976 and Camden in 1957; however, the new measurement is still provisional and undergoing verification. Meanwhile, the heatwave extends beyond the UK, with parts of Europe experiencing extreme conditions. France recently endured its hottest day since records began in 1947, with temperatures in Paris and other locations surpassing 40°C.
The extreme heat has also posed health risks and operational challenges throughout the country. The UK Health Security Agency has issued a red heat-health alert valid until Thursday night, warning of serious effects on public well-being. Dr Agostinho Sousa from UKHSA emphasized the importance of awareness, noting, “A red heat health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population, but simple actions like staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool can make a big difference.” In response to the heat, many workers have adjusted their schedules. For example, a bricklayer in London has started and finished his shifts earlier to avoid the worst heat, while telecoms engineer Jake Bird prepares to manage his physically demanding job despite the sweltering conditions
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