The United Kingdom has experienced a new provisional record high temperature for June for the second day in a row, as a punishing heatwave continues to grip the nation. The Met Office confirmed that temperatures reached 36.4 degrees Celsius at Yeovilton in Somerset on Thursday afternoon, surpassing the previous record of 36.1C set on Wednesday in Gosport, Hampshire, and eclipsing the long-standing June record from the infamous summer of 1976.
London Ambulance Service Faces Record Demand
The extreme heat has placed immense pressure on emergency services. London Ambulance Service reported that Wednesday was its busiest day ever for life-threatening emergencies, responding to 642 category one calls—the highest number in its history. Category one calls include the most serious incidents such as cardiac arrests and patients not breathing. Chief executive Jason Killens said: “We have seen the highest number of life-threatening emergencies in our history, driven by the extreme heat across London. Our crews are working very hard in challenging conditions to care for patients and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our people for their incredible hard work. Please help them to help you by taking care of yourself and others – stay out of the sun and keep hydrated.”
Red Heat Warning Extended
A swathe of England and Wales remains under a rare red warning for extreme heat for a second consecutive day, with the Met Office extending the warning until 9pm on Friday for London and parts of east and southeast England, including Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, and Kent. This marks the first time the Met Office has issued red heat warnings over three consecutive days. Amber heat warnings are in place for a wider area on Friday, continuing into Saturday for parts of east and southeast England. Yellow warnings for thunderstorms have also been issued for southwest England on Thursday night, northern Scotland on Thursday afternoon and evening, and large parts of Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland on Friday.
Climate Change and the Heat Dome
The current heatwave is driven by a “heat dome”—an area of high pressure that stalls over a region and traps heat—settling over western Europe. Human-driven climate change, primarily caused by burning fossil fuels, is making such extreme heatwaves more frequent and intense. Deputy Chief Meteorologist Greg Wolverson stated: “We’ve seen a new provisional June maximum temperature record for a second consecutive day as the heatwave continues. This marks unprecedented heat for the month of June and provides further evidence of how high temperature extremes are becoming increasingly common in the UK as a result of human-induced climate change. There’s a chance of this record being challenged again as the warmth moves more markedly east on Friday, before a gradual easing in temperatures through the weekend.”
Health Alerts and Infrastructure Strain
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 alerts are in place for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber. The Royal College of Physicians reported that doctors are facing severe, unsustainable pressure, with few settings having air conditioning, staff struggling, and resident doctors battling heat while sleep deprived. One physician warned of “awful conditions” due to overcrowding, while another reported that two machines used to treat cancer had stopped amid the heatwave. Patients on geriatric wards, among the most vulnerable to heat, have faced temperatures up to 35C.
Schools and Public Services Affected
Schools and nurseries have closed or introduced early pick-up times due to the sweltering conditions. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that it is up to schools to decide their own course of action, but emphasized government coordination across the UK. The National Education Union has written to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urging a timetable for equipping schools with air conditioning. During a visit to Beanfield Primary School in Corby, Northamptonshire, Phillipson acknowledged that school closures indicate “more to do” to ensure buildings can cope with extreme heat. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has called for air conditioning to be rolled out to schools, offices, and hospitals in the capital as part of the city’s first-ever heat plan.
Transport Disruptions and Water Restrictions
Transport services have been disrupted, with one rail operator urging people not to travel for beach trips due to the extreme heat. A hosepipe ban has been introduced in Kent amid surging water demand. In Wales, a 50-year-old man from Cilfrew, Neath Port Talbot, died after entering the water at Aberavon beach on Wednesday, police confirmed.
Outlook
The Met Office has indicated that the record for the hottest June day could be exceeded again in the coming hours. Temperatures are expected to ease gradually through the weekend, but the extreme conditions have already prompted renewed calls for the UK to better prepare for rising heat risks, including cooling for hospitals, schools, and care homes, heat regulations for workplaces, and infrastructure adaptation.
