UK heatwave sees 50-year temperature record for June broken three times in a day

The UK recorded its hottest June day on record, shattering the previous high since 1976.

The Met Office said the record was broken three times on Wednesday, with high temperatures of 36 degrees recorded at Wisley in Surrey and Gosport in Hampshire.

This comes after 35.8 degrees were recorded in Wiggonholt, West Sussex, and 35.7 degrees in Charlwood, Surrey.

This unprecedented temperature surpassed the previous record of 35.6C, which was set since 1976 and 1957.

The record-breaking temperatures came as much of England and Wales endured exceptionally hot and humid conditions, prompting a rare Met Office red alert for extreme heat.

Forecasters suggested that the numbers could increase further and more records could be broken in the coming days.

This intense heatwave, which has already triggered health warnings, school closures and major transport disruptions, is being driven by a “heat dome” currently located in Western Europe, bringing extreme conditions across the continent.

Experts warn that the collapse of a 50-year record is a striking example of climate change driven primarily by the burning of fossil fuels. This is leading to increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves, for which the UK is reportedly unprepared.

The figures are currently provisional and will be verified at the end of the heatwave to check whether they set a new national record.

Met Office science director Amy Doherty said: “If confirmed, the new daily temperature record in June would be particularly significant following the last records broken in May.

“The new record provides further evidence that temperatures previously thought to be extreme are becoming increasingly common as a result of human-caused climate change.”

The Met Office said temperatures could rise further on Thursday.

If they reach 39C it will be the second hottest day on record in the UK and the hottest June day on record. If 38C is recorded, this still ranks in the top five days ever recorded and is warmer than any day in the 20th century.

The record came in the middle of a sweltering heat wave; The Met Office issued a rare red warning for extreme heat on Wednesday and Thursday, covering areas from London and the south coast to Swansea, Somerset and Birmingham.

Red heat health warnings have been issued by the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) for the East of England, East Midlands, London, South East, South West and West Midlands, and yellow heat health warnings for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.

These warnings will be in effect from 01:00 on Wednesday until 23:00 on Thursday and mean “adverse temperatures are likely to affect the health and well-being of the population”.

The Met Office also issued a yellow heat warning covering much of England on Friday, while a thunderstorm warning has been issued for the South West on Thursday evening.

The Met Office issued an amber warning for extreme heat for the east and south-east of England on Saturday, with extreme heat set to continue into the weekend in some parts of the country.

At least 1,000 schools and nurseries will close or partially close in England and Wales over the next two days.

While some finished work early or relaxed uniform rules, transport services were disrupted and people were asked to stay indoors, close windows and curtains and stay hydrated to beat the heat.

The Met Office said overnight temperatures were also unusually high, remaining above 20C in many places, with Brize Norton in Oxfordshire not falling below 22.3C and Heathrow in West London not falling below 22.1C.

Experts have warned that these “tropical nights” make it difficult to sleep and for people to recover from the heat of the day.

More than 100 schools will close at least partially in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire. More than 200 schools in Somerset will close or have limited opening hours.

Children in some schools have been told they can wear PE kit instead of the full school uniform, which includes long trousers and a blazer.

Education Minister Bridget Phillipson stated that parents should send their children to school if schools remain open, adding that schools are taking steps to help students cope with the heat and that there is a cost to absenteeism.

“I know hot weather can be challenging. But my message to parents is simple: If your child’s school is open, you should continue to send them to school,” she said.

Transport bosses are urging people to avoid traveling on Wednesday and Thursday, while warning those who do do so to “prepare for a split journey”.

Travel to central London has fallen in the past few days compared to last week as workers heeded advice to stay at home during a heatwave and a number of railway lines suffered disruptions.

The heatwave has led to fresh calls for the government to take more action to protect Britain from the increasingly extreme heat that is a feature of a changing climate, including measures to cool hospitals, schools and care homes.

The Met Office said the frequency and intensity of heatwaves were increasing worldwide.

Met Office chief scientist Professor Stephen Belcher said: “Human-caused climate change has made such events more likely and more intense.

“It is sobering to see temperatures like this in the UK in June.

“Events like this highlight the effects of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity impacting sectors as diverse as transport, energy and water supply, as well as significant health impacts from heat stress.”

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