Hundreds of schools plan closures ahead of red heat alerts
Hundreds of schools plan closures ahead – As extreme heat conditions intensify, over 300 schools in England and Wales are preparing for partial or full shutdowns. Transport providers, including the UK’s largest train operator, have urged individuals to avoid unnecessary travel. Tuesday’s peak temperature of 34.6°C in Wisley, Surrey, marked the highest recorded for the day. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland and Scotland experienced their warmest days of the year, with readings of 28.1°C and 29°C respectively. Wales reached 32.2°C, according to the Met Office.
Heatwave forecast and health warnings
The heatwave is set to worsen, with southern England potentially seeing temperatures surpass 37 or 38°C by Wednesday. A red extreme heat warning has been activated for parts of England and Wales from Wednesday morning to Thursday evening, signaling a risk to life. This rare alert, spanning from 09:00 BST on Wednesday to 21:00 on Thursday, indicates an unusual period of sweltering, humid weather in south and central England, as well as south Wales.
“This warning signals a very widespread threat from the heat, including risks to people who generally think of themselves as not being particularly threatened by it,” said Prof Robin May, chief scientific officer at the UK Health Security Agency.
Impact on essential services and outdoor activities
High humidity levels are expected to amplify the discomfort, with conditions potentially feeling up to 41°C even if the air temperature is 35°C. The Met Office warned that power outages and disruptions to water supply could occur due to strain on heat-sensitive infrastructure. Increased visits to coastal areas and water bodies may also raise the likelihood of safety incidents.
Although the UK’s highest June temperature of 35.6°C, set in 1976, is likely to be broken, the maximum will still fall short of the all-time record of 40.3°C in 2022. Tuesday was initially forecast as the hottest June day, but temperatures in southeast England were 2–3°C below predictions due to overnight rain and flooding.
Travel disruptions and emergency preparedness
Travel chaos is anticipated, with the Met Office advising caution for all modes of transport. On the National Rail network, passengers are urged to avoid non-essential trips and carry hydration supplies. GTR, the UK’s largest train operator, will suspend the Gatwick Express from mid-afternoon on Wednesday and Thursday. Safety speed limits will be enforced on Thameslink, Great Northern, and Southern routes, reducing train frequency. Refunds are available for tickets booked for Tuesday and the following days if travel is no longer feasible.
