Overview
- The Met Office issued a rare red extreme-heat warning covering a swathe from London to Swansea and up to Birmingham from 9am Wednesday to 9pm Thursday.
- Forecasters say peak daytime highs are expected around 39°C with a credible chance of spots reaching about 40°C and overnight 'tropical nights' that will reduce nighttime cooling.
- Hundreds of schools have closed or will finish early and major rail operators have imposed speed restrictions, cut services or cancelled trains including some Eurostar services.
- Operators and officials have activated contingency measures such as National Energy System Operator margin notices, water releases to protect fish, and cancelled ceremonial Army duties to protect personnel.
- Scientists and Met Office experts linked the event to a western‑European 'heat‑dome' and said human‑driven climate change is making such early‑season extremes more likely, with the heat expected to break June records and test UK infrastructure adapted to cooler climates.