Britain is forecast to break a 50-year heat record as scientists warn that heatwaves will become more intense. The mercury is expected to hit 36C in London and parts of the South East on Wednesday, surpassing the 35.6C June record set in 1976, and could reach 39C in some areas by Thursday.
Schools Close and Transport Disrupted
Schools across England and Wales have announced closures or early finishes this week to protect children from overheating classrooms. Many pupils have been told they can wear PE kit instead of full uniform. Buckingham School in Buckinghamshire will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, stating on its website: "Because most of our buildings cannot be cooled adequately and there is little shade outside, we have taken the difficult decision to close the school site on both days. All trips and other scheduled activities are also cancelled."
Transport bosses have warned against all but essential travel. Jake Kelly, deputy chief executive of Network Rail, said: "Extreme heat can have a significant impact on the railway, so safety must come first. We're asking passengers to check before travelling on Tuesday, and only travel if absolutely essential on Wednesday and Thursday if they are going to, from or within the red warning zone." Chiltern Railways has already cancelled more than half of its normal timetable.
Red Weather and Health Alerts Issued
The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for extreme heat from 9am Wednesday to 9pm Thursday, covering an area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham. The UK Health Security Agency has placed six regions under a red heat-health alert from 1am Wednesday to 11pm Thursday: West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England. An amber alert covers the North West, North East, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
Health chiefs warn that the forecast temperatures pose a risk to life for "even the healthy population." The heatwave coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 1976 heatwave, which caused water shortages, failed harvests, rising food prices, and wildfires.
Climate Change Intensifying Heatwaves
Professor Stephen Belcher, Met Office chief scientist, said: "Heatwaves in the UK are becoming more frequent and intense. This week's red extreme heat warning, as we mark the 50th Anniversary of the 1976 heatwave, is a stark reminder of the trajectory we are on. The duration of the extreme heat combined with high humidity will present severe challenges for communities and the health of individuals." He noted that average UK summers have warmed by around 1.4°C since 1976.
Professor Hayley Fowler from Newcastle University said few people remember the 1976 impacts, adding: "On the 50th anniversary of this iconic event, we are showing the public that these impacts will become part of normal life in the coming decades if we don't rapidly reduce fossil fuel emissions and adapt our schools, homes, hospitals and workplaces."
Future Projections
Professor Ed Hawkins from the University of Reading said that "1976 was an extraordinary weather event, but it took place in a much cooler world," and a comparable heatwave would be 3°C hotter today. He warned: "The future 2056 forecast from the Met Office shows that people born in 1976 could plausibly suffer 45°C heat in their retirement years and children born today in 2026 will have to navigate such heatwaves in their 30s."
Temperatures could approach the UK's all-time high of 40.3°C recorded in July 2022.
