Overview
- The Met Office issued the extreme red alert on Wednesday, covering southern England, the Midlands and south‑east Wales and coming into force from 09:00.
- BBC Breakfast sent reporter Jon Kay to Richmond upon Thames to relay the warning on air and said the alert “carries a risk to life.”
- Forecasts say temperatures could reach about 38°C in some places and high humidity will make heat more dangerous for vulnerable people.
- Hundreds of schools have closed fully or partially and rail operators are running reduced services while urging passengers to avoid non‑essential travel through June 24 and into June 25.
- The alert is only the second time the Met Office has used the extreme red tier and authorities say cutting services eases stress on infrastructure and limits the number of people exposed to heat and travel disruption.