UK heatwave forces school closures, hospital cancellations, transport cuts
10 reported
A searing heatwave has swept the UK, with schools, hospitals, transport networks and water companies struggling to cope with extreme temperatures. The Met Office reported a high of 34.6C in Wisley, Surrey, and issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday, while a red heat health alert indicated a risk to life for even the healthy population. South-east England is expected to reach 38C on Wednesday and 39C on Thursday, which would shatter the previous June record of 35.6C. Coping measures include reduced rail speeds and services, cancelled hospital appointments, school closures across southern England and Wales, and a hosepipe ban in south-east England. The UN secretary-general, António Guterres, said in a speech in London that the city was “cooking”. The heatwave has also affected much of western Europe, with France experiencing its hottest night and day on record, and Spain recording temperatures above 40C at one in eight weather stations.
What’s reported
Temperatures hit 34.6C in Wisley, Surrey, according to the Met Office.
A red weather warning and red heat health alert were issued for Wednesday and Thursday.
South-east England is expected to reach 38C on Wednesday and 39C on Thursday.
The previous June record of 35.6C was set in 1957 and reached again in 1976.
Coping measures include reduced rail speeds, cancelled hospital appointments, school closures, and a hosepipe ban.
UN secretary-general António Guterres said London was “cooking” in a speech at London Climate Action Week.
France recorded its hottest night on record Monday and hottest day on record Tuesday, with highs of 44.3C.
Spain’s weather agency Aemet warned of “extraordinary danger” with highs of 44C expected.
ClimaMeter published a rapid analysis stating climate breakdown added 2C to 4C to the current heatwave.
The UK’s Climate Change Committee warned the UK was “built for a climate that no longer exists.”
Key figures
António Guterres, UN secretary-general
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union
Emma Holmberg, extreme temperature researcher at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern
Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK
Stefán Smith, professor of energy systems and the built environment, University of Reading
Sources: The Guardian
