Overview
- The Met Office has issued rare red extreme-heat warnings for large parts of England and Wales for Wednesday to Thursday with forecasts of about 38–40°C and consecutive warm 'tropical' nights.
- The UK Health Security Agency has activated red heat-health alerts for six English regions warning of a risk to life for even healthy people and urging immediate protective actions.
- Rail operators and Network Rail have imposed speed restrictions and reduced or cancelled services, with Chiltern cancelling more than half its trains and Avanti and GWR running fewer services and advising passengers to avoid non-essential travel.
- Hundreds of schools have announced full or partial closures or early dismissals and the National Association of Head Teachers has issued guidance on safety measures and when leaders should consider shutting sites.
- Public agencies and utilities warn of wider strain on water, roads, power and emergency services with higher breakdowns, wildfire and water-safety risks driven by a continental 'heat-dome' that scientists link to human-driven climate change.