London Luton Airport was forced to close its runway for two hours on Monday due to a 'surface defect' caused by extreme heat, as temperatures across the UK soared to record levels. The closure disrupted flights and left passengers stranded, with maintenance crews using water trucks to cool the tarmac.
Wales recorded its hottest day ever, with a temperature of 37.1°C in Hawarden, Flintshire, surpassing the previous record set in 1990. In England, the mercury hit 38.1°C in Santon Downham, Suffolk, making it the hottest day of the year so far. London reached 37.5°C, while Scotland saw highs of 31.3°C in Aberdeenshire and Fife.
The Met Office issued the country's first Red Extreme Heat warning, predicting temperatures could reach 43°C on Tuesday, potentially causing 'thousands' of deaths. RAF Brize Norton also halted flying activity after part of its runway melted.
Wildfires broke out across the country, including near Chesterfield in Derbyshire and Lickey Hills Country Park in Birmingham. A vehicle caught fire near Durdle Door in Dorset, and an oil tanker carrying 40,000 litres of fuel ignited on the M25 near Sevenoaks.
Health officials urged the public to avoid non-emergency hospital visits, while London Ambulance Service anticipated up to 8,000 calls by the end of Monday. Some schools in Nottinghamshire, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire closed early, and water providers warned of shortages. The National Grid issued an alert for increased power generation as demand surged.
