A heatwave is gripping the UK, pushing temperatures to record-breaking highs.
On Wednesday (June 24), Gosport in Hampshire recorded 36.1C, provisionally making it the hottest June day ever recorded in the UK, surpassing the previous record of 35.6C set in 1976 and 1957.
The Met Office has warned the new record could be “beaten again” as the heatwave continues.
It said provisional figures will be reviewed after the heatwave to confirm whether this is officially the highest temperature ever recorded in June.
Wednesday 24 June provisionally achieved the UK's highest June temperature on record 🌡️
Here are the other extremes from the day: https://t.co/xsMwTiYpHg
The flying ants were also out in force, resulting in spurious returns on the radar where it wasn't raining 🪰 pic.twitter.com/s2iMLxNvUU— Met Office (@metoffice) June 24, 2026
The forecaster has issued a rare red warning for extreme heat, covering areas stretching from London and the south coast to Swansea, Somerset, and Birmingham, with the warning expected to remain in place until late on Thursday.
The Met Office warned that "significant disruption to daily life is likely".
Record-breaking temperatures recorded in UK in June
Professor Stephen Belcher, chief scientist for the Met Office, said it is “sobering” to see temperatures as high as this in June.
The Met Office said that the exceptional heat will spread northwards on Thursday, “with an even hotter day ahead for some with amber and red extreme heat warnings in force”.
Red heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for the East of England, East Midlands, London, the South East, the South West and the West Midlands, and amber heat health alerts for the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and The Humber.
The UKHSA's alerts are in place until 11pm on Friday, and mean that "adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population".
The Met Office has also issued an amber warning for extreme heat on Saturday, covering parts of east and southeast England.
What is a heatwave?
If temperatures rise to 39C, it would become the second hottest day ever recorded in the UK.
Even 38C would put it among the top five hottest days in history and hotter than any day of the 20th century.
The heatwave has led to health warnings, school closures and transport disruption.
It is driven by a “heat dome” settling over western Europe that has brought extreme conditions across the continent.
At least 1,000 schools and nurseries in England and Wales will be fully or partially closed on Thursday and Friday.
Recommended reading:
- When will the heatwave end? Met Office reveals how long we've got left
- Should you open or close your windows during a heatwave? Expert settles debate
- All of the UK areas placed under red and amber heat warnings by the Met Office
Network Rail has urged passengers to travel only if "absolutely necessary" as trains are running at reduced speeds and on altered timetables.
This means journeys are likely to take longer and there is a higher risk of disruption.
The first record-breaking temperature on Wednesday was recorded in Charlwood, Surrey, at 35.7C.
This was later overtaken by Wiggonholt, West Sussex, at 35.8C, Wisley, Surrey, at 36C, and finally Gosport at 36.1C.
How are you coping in the heat? Tell us in the comments below.
