The UK Government has issued an 'extreme' travel warning for Britons heading to France, Spain and Portugal as a heatdome settles over western Europe, with temperatures forecast to approach 40°C by Wednesday. The heatwave is anticipated to surpass the June record set in Hampshire in 1976.
Red Alerts and Tragic Incidents
Red heat alerts have been issued in France, Spain, and other nations across western and central Europe as conditions intensify. More than half of France's regions are under the harshest weather warning. In a tragic incident linked to the heat, two children aged two and four were found dead in their family car in Carpentras, southern France.
Foreign Office Warnings
The Foreign Office updated its 'extreme weather' section for France, advising travellers to check forecasts and protection advice on Meteo France. For Spain, it recommends following the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) and European Meteorological Services. For Portugal, it directs to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere website.
UK Forecast and Met Office Statement
In the UK, record highs are expected. Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge stated: 'The Met Office is flagging 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday, most likely for somewhere in London or the South East. It is possible we could see temperatures higher than 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range.' He added that high humidity will make the heat even harder to endure.
Overnight, temperatures remained above 20°C at nine sites across England, marking a tropical night. Thunderstorms and lightning struck early Tuesday morning.
Transport Disruption
Commuters faced significant disruption on Tuesday. The Elizabeth Line suffered flooding from heavy rain, halting service between Heathrow Terminals 2, 3, and 4. The Mildmay Line experienced severe delays and reduced service due to heat. National rail warned of sagging overhead wires, buckled rails, and lineside fires, urging passengers to avoid non-essential travel and carry water.
Avanti West Coast plans fewer services from Tuesday to Thursday, warning of further disruption. Chiltern Railways scrapped over half its services across those days, advising passengers to avoid travel if possible.
The RAC reported handling 10% more breakdowns than usual, expecting demand to rise as temperatures peak.
School Closures
Schools are shutting early or closing to protect children from the heat. Pupils may wear PE kit instead of full uniform, and after-school clubs have been cancelled.
