Image source, Getty ImagesThe UK could experience its warmest June night ever, forecasters say, after the country saw its hottest temperature of the year on Thursday afternoon as temperatures reached 36.7C (98.1F).
The high was recorded at Merryfield, Somerset, according to Met Office provisional figures, making it also the hottest June day.
A rare red warning warning for extreme heat, which warns of danger to life, is currently in place until the end of Thursday in southern, central and western areas of England and parts of Wales until midnight.
It has been extended for a third consecutive day for the first time, impacting millions in London and parts of south-eastern England until 21:00 BST on Friday.
During the heatwave, schools have closed, a hosepipe ban has been brought in for customers in Kent and transport services have been disrupted.
On Wednesday night, the UK saw its warmest June night on record, according to provisional figures, making it a difficult night for many people sleeping.
Overnight temperatures in Cardiff did not drop below 23.5C, exceeding the previous record of 22.7C set in 1976.
But that record could be broken again on Thursday night, with temperatures already soaring.
This evening, there will be spells of heavy rain across Scotland that will push south-eastwards. Thundery showers will also develop towards the south-west and move inland.
Image source, Getty ImagesAll four of the UK’s nations recorded their highest temperatures of the year so far on Thursday.
Merryfield’s 36.7C high surpassed England’s 36.1C recorded in Gosport, Hampshire, on Wednesday which broke the longstanding record for June set in both 1976 and 1957.
Wales recorded its highest temperature of the year and hottest ever June day with a provisional temperature of 35.6C in Bute Park, Cardiff. Previously, the highest Wales June temperature stood at 33.7C – recorded in 2000.
Scotland recorded it highest temperature of the year in Threave, Dumfries and Galloway, with 31.2C.
Northern Ireland recorded its highest temperature this year with 30.0C in Castlederg, County Tyrone.
The Met Office said people should expect population-wide adverse health affects “leading to serious illness or danger to life”, substantial changes in working practices and daily routine required, high risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems with loss of power, along with transport delays.
A wider amber warning is also in place in Wales, southern England, the Midlands and part of northern England, external, with areas as far north as Manchester expected to see temperatures reach above 30C.
And a separate amber warning for extreme heat, lasting from midnight on Friday, external until 23:59 covers south-east England, eastern England and parts of the Midlands.
At least six NHS trusts in England have declared critical incidents because of the heatwave, sources have told the BBC.
It comes amid reports the extreme heat has caused problems with IT systems, cancer equipment, lab testing and scanners.
London Ambulance Service said it has recorded its highest ever number of life-threatening emergencies as temperatures soared across the capital “driven by the extreme heat” across the capital.
In Wales, a 50-year-old man died after entering the water at a Welsh beach on Wednesday, South Wales Police announced on Thursday.
The force said they were called to Aberavon beach at around 16:25 to reports of a man needing medical assistance in the water. His death is not being treated as suspicious.
National Rail has warned people to only travel if absolutely necessary on Thursday and Friday if their journeys are from or within the red or amber weather warning zone.
Meanwhile, more than 2,400 schools in England and Wales have closed. Sir Keir Starmer said schools have to decide for themselves what appropriate measure to take.
South East Water announced a temporary hosepipe ban for around 850,000 people living in Kent due to “high temperatures and record demand for water”.
The heatwave is set to continue to the end of the week. Friday is forecast to bring thundery rain for part of northern Scotland, but sunny spells elsewhere with early thundery showers clearing, though the north and east will see a few scattered thundery showers redeveloping.
It is being driven by a “heat-dome” – an area of high pressure that stalls over a region and traps heat – settling over western Europe bringing extreme conditions across the continent.
Scientists have warned hotter temperatures are likely in the years ahead. Between 2015 and 2024, the number of days exceeding 30C in the UK more than trebled compared with the 1961-1990 average, the Met Office says.
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