A rare red extreme heat warning has come into force across parts of England, with the Met Office predicting temperatures could reach 40C in the warning zone. The UK is bracing for the hottest June on record, with over 300 schools already closed and widespread transport disruption reported.
Red Warning Zone and Temperature Forecast
The red warning, issued by the Met Office, covers an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham. It is in effect from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday. Temperatures could approach the UK's all-time high of 40.3C recorded in July 2022. The Met Office also predicts that by 2056, under a 2.5C global warming scenario, England could see maximum temperatures of 45C, Wales 41C, Scotland 38C, and Northern Ireland 30C.
School Closures and Cooling Measures
Hundreds of schools have fully or partially closed due to the extreme heat. Somerset Council reported around 100 schools closed over three days, Buckinghamshire around 100, and Gloucestershire 86. Some schools have allowed children to wear PE kit instead of full uniform. London has published a map of cooling spaces and drinking fountains to help residents cope with temperatures expected to reach 37C on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Transport Disruption
National Rail has urged people to travel only when 'absolutely necessary'. Train operators including Northern, South Western Railway, West Midlands Railway, Chiltern, and Great Western Railway have reduced timetables. Chiltern Railways warned of 'significant delays and very busy conditions' with fewer than 50% of normal services on some routes. The London Underground has experienced severe delays on the Circle and District lines, minor delays on the Central line, and severe delays on the Metropolitan line. The Elizabeth line has been disrupted due to flooding at Heathrow and a points failure at Southall, with delays of up to 25 minutes. Eurostar cancelled trains between London and Paris. A Great Northern train broke down near Finsbury Park, forcing over 200 passengers to walk along the tracks to Drayton Park. One passenger complained on Facebook: 'They had no plan. This was an example of putting bureaucracy first, not people's wellbeing.'
Hosepipe Bans and Water Restrictions
South East Water has imposed a hosepipe ban in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire. The company reported treating and supplying 644 million litres of water on Sunday, 56 million litres more than average. Wessex Water urged customers to reduce usage, advising against watering lawns.
International Impact
Spain activated its highest-level red alert in several areas, including Jaén and Córdoba in Andalusia, where temperatures could reach 44C. In France, more than half of the 96 mainland departments are under red heat alerts, and 40 people have drowned since last Thursday. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu activated emergency plan Orsan 2 due to high ambulance demand. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, speaking at the London Climate Action event, said: 'London isn't just calling, it's cooking.'
Overnight Thunderstorms and Police Dispersal Orders
Overnight thunderstorms brought torrential rain and lightning to London, causing flooding on the A406 North Circular. City of London Police captured a lightning strike over St Paul's Cathedral on CCTV. Kent Police have imposed Section 34 dispersal orders in Ramsgate, Margate, Westgate, Broadstairs, and Westwood for 48 hours to prevent youth disorder on seafronts. More than 15 people were dispersed in Broadstairs.
