The UK recorded its hottest June day on record on Thursday, with the mercury reaching 36.7C (98.1F) in Merryfield, Somerset, according to Met Office provisional figures. The unprecedented heat prompted a rare red warning for extreme heat to be extended for a third consecutive day for the first time, covering millions in London and parts of south-eastern England until 21:00 BST on Friday.
The sweltering conditions followed the UK’s warmest June night ever on Wednesday, when overnight temperatures in Cardiff did not drop below 23.5C, beating the previous record of 22.7C set in 1976. Forecasters warned that record could be broken again on Thursday night as temperatures remained high.
“UK hits 36.7C, hottest June day ever; rare red heat warning extended to Friday across London and SE England.”
All four nations recorded their highest temperatures of the year. Wales saw a hottest June day with 35.6C in Bute Park, Cardiff; Scotland reached 31.2C in Threave, Dumfries and Galloway; and Northern Ireland hit 30.0C in Castlederg, County Tyrone. England’s previous June record of 36.1C, set in Gosport, Hampshire, on Wednesday, was surpassed by the 36.7C reading at Merryfield. The Met Office also recorded 36.4C at Yeovilton, Somerset.
The extreme heat has caused widespread disruption. Schools have closed, a hosepipe ban was imposed for customers in Kent, and transport services faced cancellations and delays. At least six NHS trusts in England declared critical incidents as hospitals struggled with the surge in heat-related illness. The Met Office warned of population-wide adverse health effects leading to serious illness or danger to life, substantial changes in working routines, and a high risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems, including potential power loss.
Across Europe, red heat warnings were issued in France, Spain, Italy, Croatia and Poland as warm air from North Africa swept north. The heat forced the closure of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris, while train services were cancelled and power outages reported.
In the UK, a wider amber warning remained in place for Wales, southern England, the Midlands and parts of northern England, with areas as far north as Manchester expecting temperatures above 30C. A separate amber warning was issued for south-east England, eastern England and parts of the Midlands from midnight on Friday until 23:59. Meanwhile, thundery showers were forecast to bring some relief, with heavy rain across Scotland and thunderstorm warnings issued for parts of Ireland and Scotland. Met Éireann issued an orange-level thunderstorm warning for three counties in Ireland.
As the heatwave continues, the country braces for another potentially record-breaking night, with the risk of danger to life persisting across the most affected areas.