The UK is preparing for its hottest day ever as a red weather warning has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday amid a severe heatwave sweeping across southern England. Temperatures are expected to approach 40C, close to the country’s record of 40.3C set in July 2022.
Nearly 500 schools are either closing early or cancelling trips to protect pupils from the extreme heat. Emergency services and transport operators have urged caution as the Met Office warns of widespread health risks and significant disruption.
More than 300 schools across counties including Somerset, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire and Hampshire have announced partial or full-day closures over the coming days. Many schools have cited the lack of air conditioning and concerns over travelling in extreme heat as reasons for closures. Pupils have been allowed to wear lighter PE kits instead of full uniforms, and some after-school activities have been cancelled. Entire schools such as Buckingham School and St John’s Marlborough are fully closed, with remote learning arrangements in place.
The British Army has cancelled ceremonial events in London and Windsor to protect soldiers, horses, and the public from heat-related risks. Iconic ceremonies like the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace will be paused from Tuesday until Thursday, with mounted units adapting routines to reduce stress on horses.
Train operators including South Eastern Railway, Govia Thameslink Railway, and Chiltern Railways have warned of severe delays and reduced services due to heat-related infrastructure risks such as rail expansion and overhead power line sagging. Network Rail and Transport for London have advised passengers to travel only if absolutely necessary during the red warning period. Eurostar has also cancelled some cross-Channel services because of the adverse weather.
Before the heatwave, violent thunderstorms struck southern England, with over 29,000 lightning strikes recorded overnight. These storms caused power outages for hundreds of homes, flooding, and at least two house fires attributed to lightning. The London Fire Brigade responded to more than 400 calls, including emergency flooding and fire incidents.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a red Heat Health Alert covering much of England and Wales, warning that the extreme heat poses a life risk even for healthy individuals. Experts have highlighted that Britain’s infrastructure is under strain, with the heatwave acting as a stress test for transport networks and buildings not designed for such temperatures. Elevated night-time temperatures are also causing discomfort and health concerns across the region.
Originally published by UKNIP.
