Temperatures could hit 40C in UK as rare red heat warning issued

A rare red weather warning for extreme heat has been issued for parts of England and Wales later this week as temperatures could reach 40C in places.

The Met Office warning affects London, parts of the Midlands, south-east Wales and southern England, and will be in place from 09:00 BST on Wednesday through to 21:00 BST on Thursday.

Forecasters say the extreme heat will be exacerbated by high humidity and warn that "significant disruption" to daily life is likely, including travel disruption. Some schools have also already announced plans to close early.

The Met Office said the hot weather will also have a population-wide impact on health and will lead to serious illness and a danger to life.

Less severe amber weather warnings are also in place across much of southern and central England and most of Wales from Monday through to the end of Thursday.

In the worst-affected areas, the Met Office has forecast that temperatures could reach up to 40C with the peak of the heatwave anticipated to fall on Wednesday and Thursday.

That would come close to the UK's highest temperature on record of 40.3C, set in Coningsby in July 2022. That is also the only previous time a red extreme heat weather warning has been issued.

Temperatures are set to rise quickly on Monday with a chance of thundery showers for some.

Highs of 37C are then forecast for southern England and 35C in south-east Wales on Tuesday.

Temperatures are then due to rise to at least 39C on Wednesday and Thursday with the possibility this will be exceeded.

Across the hot spell, some areas will see temperatures not fall below 21C or 22C, resulting in a so-called tropical night.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its own red heat health warnings - marking the second ever time it has issued such a warning related to heat.

The UKHSA warnings cover the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England and will be in place for a slightly longer time frame from 01:00 BST on Wednesday until 23:00 BST on Thursday.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA has urged health and social care services across the country to ensure they are prepared for the coming days.

"It is vitally important that people understand the risk posed by high temperatures like these, and take steps to keep themselves and their friends, families and neighbours safe," he said.

As temperatures began to climb over the weekend and into Monday, some disruption is already becoming evident as the country looks to prepare for the days ahead.

The government does not normally advise schools to close during hot weather, but it suggests a number of measures to help manage the conditions.

A number of schools across England have taken measures including relaxing uniform rules and closing early over the coming days.