London, Europe Brief News – The UK has hit its hottest temperature on record, with a temperature of 40.2C recorded at Heathrow in London. The previous record was 38.7C in Cambridge in July 2019.
Temperatures could reach up to 42C today, forecasters say, with serious implications for people’s health.
The threshold was hit at 12.50pm as much of the UK sweltered in a heatwave, with parts of England and Wales under a red warning for extreme heat, posing a danger to life, pressure on the NHS and disruption across transport networks.
The extreme heat is fuelled by climate change which is making every heatwave more intense, frequent and likely, scientists warn.
Network Rail has issued a “do not travel” warning for parts of the country.
The UK’s first ever red warning for heat is in place across much of England, and people are being urged to stay cool and hydrated
Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany are also seeing temperatures soar, while wildfires still threaten parts of southwest France and Spain.
Much of England and Wales are under a “red” extreme heat warning until the end of Tuesday, with the heat causing disruption on transport networks and the risk of serious health impacts.
It comes after UK experienced its warmest night on record on Monday as the extreme heat saw temperatures remaining in the mid-20s in some areas.
Charlwood, Wisley and Chertsey in Surrey, and Kew Gardens and Northolt in west London were among the places to exceed the 2019 record by early afternoon, with temperatures climbing above 39C.
