The UK is bracing for the hottest June on record as a rare red extreme heat warning comes into force, with temperatures potentially reaching 40°C in the warning zone. The Met Office issued the warning from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday, covering an area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham. The temperature could approach the UK's all-time high of 40.3°C set in July 2022.
Hundreds of Schools Close Across England and Wales
Over 300 schools across England and Wales closed on Tuesday due to soaring temperatures, with many more expected to close in the coming days. According to Somerset Council, some 100 schools in Somerset will be closed over the next three days, with the vast majority fully closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Around 100 schools will also be at least partially closed in Buckinghamshire, along with 86 schools in Gloucestershire, according to council data. Some schools have told children they can wear PE kit instead of full school uniform to cope with the heat.
Transport Disruption Widespread
Train operators have cut timetables and imposed temporary speed restrictions due to extreme heat. Northern, South Western Railway, West Midlands Railway, Chiltern and Great Western Railway are among services running reduced schedules. Chiltern Railways warned of 'significant delays and very busy conditions' from Wednesday to Thursday, planning to run fewer than 50% of normal levels on some routes. National Rail urged people to travel only when 'absolutely necessary'.
The London Underground experienced severe delays on the Circle, District, and Metropolitan lines, with minor delays on the Central line and the Overground's Mildmay line. The Elizabeth line faced disruption after flooding at Heathrow and a points failure at Southall, with trains between London Paddington and Reading cancelled or delayed by up to 25 minutes. Great Western Railway and Heathrow Express services were also affected.
Passengers on a Great Northern train were forced to walk along the tracks at Finsbury Park after their train broke down for two hours outside the station. One passenger complained on Facebook: 'They had no plan. This was an example of putting bureaucracy first, not people’s wellbeing.'
Hosepipe Bans and Water Shortages
A hosepipe ban has been imposed by South East Water in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. The company said it treated and supplied 644 million litres of water on Sunday, 56 million litres more than average. South East Water warned that demand was likely to rise further as temperatures increase. Other water companies have also encouraged customers to reduce usage. Wessex Water urged people to avoid watering lawns, stating: 'Grass is tougher than it looks. It naturally copes during hot, dry spells.'
Met Office Predicts 45°C by 2056
The Met Office's 2056 scenarios, described as 'plausible' and based on a 2.5°C global warming average, predict maximum temperatures of 45°C in England, 41°C in Wales, 38°C in Scotland, and 30°C in Northern Ireland. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, speaking at the London Climate Action event, said: 'London isn't just calling, it's cooking.'
International Heatwave Impact
Spain activated a red weather alert in several areas, including Jaén and Córdoba in Andalusia, where temperatures could hit 44°C. In France, more than half of the 96 mainland departments are under a red heat alert. Dozens of people have drowned in France since last Thursday, with 40 deaths reported. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu activated the emergency plan Orsan 2 in response to high demand for ambulances. Eurostar cancelled trains between London and Paris due to the heat.
Police Dispersal Orders and Cool Spaces
Police placed dispersal orders across Kent's town centres and seafronts for 48 hours to prevent youth disorder. The Section 34 orders became active in Ramsgate, Margate, Westgate, and the Westwood area of Broadstairs from 2pm on Tuesday. In London, City Hall and the Mayor have published a map showing cooling spaces and drinking fountains for residents to escape the heat.
