THE highest ever temperature in Oxfordshire – 36.5 degrees – was recorded by the Met Office in 2019 but the current heatwave is expected to break the record.

However, experts are debating on whether today's temperature was actually record-breaking. 

Dr David Crowhurst, a meteorologist, tweeted: “This afternoon the 209-year long temperature record was broken at Radcliffe Met Station, which is the UK's longest running weather station. The temperature value was 36.7C at 1400 GMT and is likely to continue rising. Final value will be available tomorrow.”

He sparked a debate on whether today’s temperature was actually the highest ever recorded in Oxfordshire.

But according to official figures from the Met Office, temperatures today reached 36.1 degrees at Brize Norton and Benson.

Simon Partridge, forecaster at the Met Office, told the Oxford Mail: “It looks like we haven’t broken any records today but temperatures tomorrow in Oxfordshire will likely reach 40 degrees.

“The good news is that all will change by the end of the week when the temperatures will be more bearable.”

READ MORE: RAF stops flights at its Brize Norton base as 'runway has melted'

The city’s joint second scorching temperatures, both 35.1 degrees, were recorded on July 31 2020 and August 3 1990.

The third hottest was 35 degrees on August 19 1932.

The Met Office has predicted that the county will see potentially record-breaking temperatures tomorrow and has issued a red weather alert for ‘extreme heat’ in response.

The weather forecaster has warned the weather is poses a risk to people’s health, infrastructure and transport.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi