A rare red warning for extreme heat is in force for parts of the UK on Wednesday as temperatures are forecast to hit record levels.
The mercury is predicted to climb to around 37 or 38C in southern England, with a maximum of 39C not out of the question as we go into Thursday.
In advance of the stifling heat, the Met Office extended its red warning further south towards England’s south coast. It remains in effect across parts of southern England, the Midlands and south Wales until 11.59pm on Thursday.
There is also an amber warning for extreme heat in place for a wider area of England for the whole of Friday, and another focused on the east and south-east of England on Saturday.
The record for the UK’s highest June temperature – 35.6C set in 1976 – is likely to be shattered. However, maximum temperatures are still expected to fall just short of the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C set in 2022.
The heat and humidity could also trigger some more stormy weather, with the Met Office issuing a yellow warning for thunderstorms for south-west England, running from 6pm to 11.59pm on Thursday.
Most areas in the south-west are likely to miss the worst of the storms but they could bring disruption in places.
