UK braces for hottest June day on record as red heat warnings issued
Temperatures could reach 40C in parts of England and Wales this week, prompting only the second red extreme heat warning ever issued by the Met Office.
Record heat expected
Temperatures across southern and central England and parts of Wales are forecast to climb to 39C (102.2F) by midweek, with some areas potentially reaching 40C. That would break the June record of 35.6C set in 1957 and matched in 1976, and come within a degree of the UK's all-time high of 40.3C recorded in July 2022. The Met Office said high humidity would make conditions feel even more oppressive, with tropical nights where temperatures stay above 20C.
- June record (1957/1976)
- 35.6 °C
- May 2026 record
- 35.1 °C
- Forecast peak (June 2026)
- 39.5 °C
- All-time record (July 2022)
- 40.3 °C
Red warnings issued
The Met Office has issued a rare red extreme heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday, covering parts of the Midlands, south-east Wales and southern England. It is only the second such alert since the system was introduced, the first being in 2022. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also declared a red heat-health alert for six regions, warning of severe impacts on health and social care services.
The last time the UK recorded temperatures this high was in July 2022, but on this occasion the heat is expected to be accompanied by high humidity.
- Storms cause power cuts and flash floods in the West Country.
- Temperatures build; amber warnings in force across England and Wales.
- Red weather warning begins; schools close early, rail disruption starts.
- Peak heat expected, up to 40C; red warning continues until 21:00.
- Conditions cool to around 32C.
Transport disruption
Network Rail has advised passengers to avoid non-essential travel on Wednesday and Thursday within the red warning zone, with speed restrictions expected to be imposed to prevent rails from buckling. Chiltern Railways, which runs between London and Birmingham, has already cancelled more than half of its normal timetable. The disruption compounds existing problems on the Midland mainline, where services remain limited after a fatal collision near Bedford on Friday.
Extreme heat can have a significant impact on the railway, so safety must come first.
Schools and services
Dozens of schools across the West of England have announced early closures or full shutdowns for Wednesday and Thursday, citing concerns over stuffy classrooms. Waste collection crews in Bristol, Somerset and Gloucestershire are starting before dawn to avoid the midday heat. Shropshire Council is monitoring road surfaces, which can soften when ground temperatures reach 50C, even on days in the 20s.
Health risks
The UKHSA warned of a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with pre-existing conditions. The Met Office said the heat posed a risk to life even for healthy people. Vets urged dog owners to keep pets indoors during the hottest hours and ensure access to water and shade. The heatwave has already claimed lives in France, where three elderly people died and schools were closed as temperatures exceeded 42C.
This is the second heatwave of this year already so it just shows that the warming climate means that these more extreme spells are becoming more frequent.
Climate context
The heatwave follows a May that set a new monthly temperature record, with the hottest day reaching 35.1C. Gareth Redmond-King of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit noted that the extreme weather coincides with a parliamentary debate on the UK's net zero plans, calling it the only scientifically available solution to halting climate change.
