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 remains active until 9pm on Friday for areas including Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, and Kent, due to exceptional heat and humidity.
Temperature Forecasts and Records
Temperatures could exceed 36°C in these regions, potentially rising to 38°C in some locations, according to the Met Office. This marks the first time the Met Office has issued a red warning for heat over three consecutive days since the current weather warnings system began. The system was introduced in 2021 after a record number of heatwave deaths in England the previous summer. The first red warning for extreme heat was issued in July 2022 when temperatures soared above 40°C.
Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page stated: "The exceptional spell of hot and humid weather will maintain its grip on the UK for a little longer. Although the current red warning for areas in more central and western parts of England and Wales will expire later today, the heatwave will still be bringing high temperatures to these areas, albeit moving away from the peak heat of Wednesday and Thursday."
On Wednesday, the June temperature record, held since 1976, was broken as provisional figures showed 36.1°C in Gosport, Hampshire. Overnight temperatures have also been exceptionally warm, making it difficult for people to sleep and recover. The Met Office reported that the UK record for the highest June minimum temperature was provisionally broken, with temperatures only falling to 23.5°C overnight at Bute Park, Cardiff. In England, Plymouth recorded 23.0°C, setting a new English record for the highest June minimum temperature.
Impact on Health and Infrastructure
The heatwave has led to "awful conditions" in hospitals, with schools and nurseries closing or implementing early pick-up times and relaxing uniform rules. Train services have been disrupted, and South Western Railway passengers are urged to avoid non-essential travel to seaside resorts on Friday. The operator had previously restricted travel on Wednesday and Thursday to essential journeys but extended this to Friday due to sustained high temperatures.
South East Water announced a temporary hosepipe ban for residents in Kent in response to "high temperatures and record demand for water." The heatwave is expected to continue through the weekend, with amber warnings for parts of England on Friday and Saturday.
Climate Context and Warnings
The extreme heat is driven by a "heat dome" over western Europe, exacerbated by human-induced climate change from burning fossil fuels, making heatwaves more frequent and intense. The Met Office indicated the June record could be broken again; if temperatures reach 39°C, it would be the second hottest day in UK history, and 38°C would be among the top five hottest days ever recorded, surpassing any day in the 20th century.
Red heat health alerts from the UK Health Security Agency are in place for the East of England, East Midlands, London, South East, South West, and West Midlands until 11pm on Friday. Amber alerts cover the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber. These alerts mean "adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population."
The heatwave has renewed calls for better UK preparedness for extreme heat, including cooling systems in hospitals, schools, and care homes, heat regulations for workplaces, and infrastructure adaptation. The Royal College of Physicians reported severe pressure on the workforce, with few settings having air conditioning, staff struggling, and resident doctors battling heat while sleep-deprived. One physician described "conditions are awful" due to overcrowding, another noted two cancer treatment machines stopped working due to heat, and geriatric wards experienced temperatures up to 35°C.
Workplace and Regional Impacts
Almost one in five employers have no measures to help workers cope with heat, according to the Chartered Management Institute. A survey of 1,000 managers found a third relaxed dress codes, a quarter offered flexible hours, and a minority provided free refreshments, additional breaks, or reduced workloads.
In Scotland, temperatures may reach the low 30s°C in some areas, potentially breaking the June record of 32.3°C set in 1893 at Ochtertyre, Perthshire. Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: "We are expecting temperatures to get into the high 20s and possibly the low 30s so it does threaten the Scottish June record, there is the potential to break it."
In Ireland, record temperatures may be challenged on Thursday, according to Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy. The highest temperature in the Republic of Ireland was 33.3°C at Kilkenny Castle on June 26, 1887. Temperatures on Thursday are forecast to be in the high 20s everywhere, potentially reaching the 30s in the Midlands and Connacht. The country's status yellow high temperature warning, in place since Tuesday midday, has been extended until Saturday at 9am.
