The United Kingdom has experienced its hottest June day on record for the second consecutive day, with the Met Office reporting a provisional temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius at Yeovilton, Somerset, on Thursday afternoon. This surpasses the previous record of 36.1C set on Wednesday in Gosport, Hampshire, and the long-standing June record from 1976.
Heatwave Impacts on Health and Infrastructure
The extreme heat has placed significant strain on emergency services. London Ambulance Service reported its highest ever number of life-threatening emergencies on Wednesday, responding to 642 category one calls. Chief executive Jason Killens stated, "We have seen the highest number of life-threatening emergencies in our history, driven by the extreme heat across London." He urged the public to stay out of the sun and keep hydrated.
Schools and nurseries have closed, a hosepipe ban has been implemented in Kent due to surging demand, and transport services face disruptions. One rail operator has advised against travel for beach trips because of the extreme conditions.
Red and Amber Warnings Extended
A rare red warning for extreme heat remains in effect for a swathe of England and Wales for the second consecutive day, with the Met Office extending it until 9pm on Friday for London and parts of east and South East England, including Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, and Kent. This marks the first time red heat warnings have been issued over three consecutive days. Amber heat warnings cover a wider area on Friday and extend into Saturday for parts of east and South East England.
Yellow thunderstorm warnings are in place for South West England on Thursday night and for northern Scotland on Thursday afternoon and evening. On Friday, yellow thunderstorm warnings apply to large parts of Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Health Alerts and Hospital Incidents
Red heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the East of England, East Midlands, London, South East, South West, and West Midlands. Amber alerts are in place for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
At least two hospitals have declared critical incidents amid the heatwave: Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Royal College of Physicians reported doctors describing severe pressure, with few settings having air conditioning and staff struggling in temperatures up to 35C on geriatric wards.
Climate Change Context
The heatwave is driven by a "heat dome"—an area of high pressure stalling over a region and trapping heat—settling over western Europe. The Met Office's deputy chief meteorologist Greg Wolverson commented, "This marks unprecedented heat for the month of June and provides further evidence of how high temperature extremes are becoming increasingly common in the UK as a result of human-induced climate change."
There is a chance the record could be challenged again as warmth moves east on Friday, with temperatures gradually easing through the weekend.
Calls for Better Preparedness
The heatwave has renewed calls for the UK to better prepare for extreme heat risks, including cooling for hospitals, schools, and care homes, heat regulations for workplaces, and infrastructure adaptation. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that schools should decide appropriate measures but emphasised government coordination across the UK. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson acknowledged that school closures indicate "more to do" to equip buildings for extreme heat. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has called for air conditioning to be rolled out to schools, offices, and hospitals as part of the city's first heat plan.
