UK set for hottest June day on record as searing heat continues
The UK is expected to experience its hottest June day on record this Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to exceed 35°C (95°F).
Heat will intensify through the middle of the week, potentially reaching 40°C, which is less than one degree Celsius below the UK's highest ever recorded temperature.
The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have issued rare red warnings for Wednesday and Thursday in parts of the Midlands, south-east Wales, and southern England, anticipating significant impacts on health and infrastructure.
Amber warnings are also in effect more broadly across England and Wales as temperatures rise into the mid- to high 30s.
Heat to ramp up as week progresses
Tuesday will be notably hotter across the UK.
Temperatures in northern England and Wales are expected to reach 28 to 30°C, while the Midlands, eastern, and southern England will widely see temperatures exceeding 33°C.
In some areas around the south Midlands extending towards Greater London, temperatures are forecast to peak around 36 or 37°C.
This will surpass the current June temperature record of 35.6°C, which was set in 1976.
With sunnier conditions across Scotland and Northern Ireland, temperatures will also rise there, reaching highs of 24 to 27°C on Tuesday.
The heatwave will continue to build across England and Wales, with a Met Office red warning coming into effect at 9am on Wednesday and lasting until 9pm on Thursday.
The Met Office issued the red warning for extreme heat on Monday morning following an earlier amber warning.
As temperatures climb into the high 30s, the Met Office cautions that the heat will affect health, infrastructure, and property.
Red warnings are infrequent and only issued under exceptional circumstances. The last red warning for extreme heat was issued in July 2022.
This previous event also saw the UK temperature record of 40.3°C set in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
With forecasts indicating the possibility of 40°C on Wednesday or Thursday in parts of England, this record may be challenged.
UKHSA red heat health alerts, active through Wednesday and Thursday across the Midlands, eastern, and southern England, indicate severe impacts are expected on health and social care services, with an increased risk to life across the entire population.
Heat health alerts aim to inform the health and social care sectors as well as emergency responders.
Amber heat health alerts have also been issued across Northern England for the same period.
High humidity to make conditions uncomfortable
High humidity will accompany the elevated temperatures this week.
This will result in more discomfort compared to the May heatwave and even the historic July 2022 heatwave.
With increased humidity, the body's ability to sweat is reduced, causing heat retention and elevated body temperature.
This raises the risk of heat stress and heatstroke, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Humidity will persist overnight, along with potentially record-breaking warmth, as temperatures are expected to remain above 17 to 22°C.
The current overnight temperature record for the UK and England is 22.7°C, set in 1976, while Wales’ overnight record is 20.0°C, recorded in 2023.
Comparisons to June 1976
This heatwave occurs 50 years after one of the most notable heatwaves in UK history.
From 23 June to 7 July 1976, there were 15 consecutive days during which some location in the UK recorded temperatures of 32.2°C (90°F) or higher.
During the same period, London Heathrow recorded 16 consecutive days with temperatures of 30°C (86°F) or more.
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