The UK has provisionally recorded its hottest June day ever, with temperatures reaching 36.4°C in Yeovilton, Somerset, surpassing the previous record of 36.1°C set just a day earlier. The new high exceeds the 1976 record of 35.9°C, as a severe heatwave continues to grip Europe.
Across the continent, extreme heat has led to fatalities and disruptions. In Spain, 212 premature deaths have been attributed to the heatwave over the past four days, while Italy reported five deaths in under 24 hours as temperatures climbed to 41°C. France saw a three-year-old die after being trapped in a car in the Paris region, the third such fatality this week.
France's main energy provider shut down two nuclear reactors to avoid discharging hot water into rivers, as temperatures in classrooms reached up to 40°C. Teaching unions denounced a “blatant lack of preparation” by the government and urged staff to strike over “unacceptable working conditions”.
Switzerland recorded its hottest June temperature ever, with 38°C in Basel, breaking an 80-year-old record. The Netherlands issued its first-ever red alert for heat, warning of “dangerous” conditions with forecasts of 40°C. Germany cancelled open-air events, and Deutsche Bahn offered free ticket cancellations for weekend travel.
In the UK, University College London cancelled its student open days planned for Friday and Saturday due to the heat. The Met Office confirmed the new provisional record, which beat Wednesday's June record of 36.1°C in Gosport, Hampshire.
