The Met Office has extended its rare red warning for extreme heat into Friday, covering London and parts of east and south-east England, as the UK braces for more record-breaking temperatures. The warning, initially in place for a swathe of England and Wales, now runs until 9pm on Friday for areas including Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, and Kent, due to exceptional heat and humidity.
Temperature Records Broken
On Wednesday, the June temperature record, held since 1976, was smashed when provisional figures showed temperatures reached 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire. The Met Office said temperatures could exceed 36C in the warned areas, possibly rising to 38C in some places. Night-time temperatures are also exceptionally warm, making it hard for people to sleep and recover from the day's heat.
The UK record for the highest June minimum temperature has provisionally been broken, with temperatures only falling to 23.5C overnight at Bute Park, Cardiff. In England, Plymouth recorded a minimum of 23.0C, setting a new English record for the highest June minimum temperature.
Impact on Health and Infrastructure
The heatwave has led to what doctors describe as 'awful conditions' in hospitals, with very few settings having air conditioning. The Royal College of Physicians reported that staff are 'really struggling' and resident doctors are battling the heat while sleep deprived. One physician warned of severe, unsustainable pressure on the workforce, with reports of two cancer treatment machines stopping due to the heat and patients on geriatric wards facing temperatures up to 35C.
Schools and nurseries have closed or are operating early pick-up times or relaxing uniform rules. Train services have been disrupted, with South Western Railway urging passengers to avoid non-essential travel to seaside resorts on Friday. South East Water has announced a temporary hosepipe ban for people in Kent due to 'high temperatures and record demand for water.'
Heat Health Alerts and Warnings
Red heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the East of England, East Midlands, London, the South East, the South West, and the West Midlands. Amber heat health alerts are in place for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber. These alerts, in effect until 11pm on Friday, mean 'adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.'
The heatwave is driven by a 'heat-dome' settling over western Europe, with human-driven climate change, mostly from burning fossil fuels, making heatwaves more frequent and intense. The Met Office said it is possible the June record could be beaten again, with temperatures potentially reaching 39C, which would be the second hottest day in UK history. If 38C is recorded, it would still be in the top five hottest days ever recorded and hotter than any day of the 20th century.
Workplace and Employer Response
Almost one in five employers have no measures to help workers cope with the heat, according to the Chartered Management Institute. Its survey of 1,000 managers found a third said their company had relaxed dress codes, while a quarter offered flexible working hours. Other measures reported by a minority included free refreshments, additional breaks, and reduced workloads.
Scotland and Ireland Also Affected
In Scotland, forecasters predict temperatures may rise into the low 30s Celsius in some areas, potentially breaking the June record of 32.3C set at Ochtertyre in Perthshire on June 18, 1893. Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said there is a chance it might be broken as 'we are expecting temperatures to get into the high 20s and possibly the low 30s so it does threaten the Scottish June record.'
Record temperatures in Ireland will be 'challenged' on Thursday, according to Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy. The highest temperature recorded in the Republic of Ireland was 33.3C at Kilkenny Castle on June 26, 1887. Temperatures on Thursday are forecast to be in the high 20s everywhere and potentially into the 30s in the Midlands and Connacht. The country's status yellow high temperature warning, in place since Tuesday, has been extended until Saturday at 9am.
