The UK has set a new record for the number of days above 36C in a single year after the mercury climbed to nearly 37C in some places on Thursday.
There have now been four days at or above 36C in 2026, the Met Office said. By early afternoon on Thursday, Charlwood in Surrey had reached 36.7C, Wisley in Surrey was 36.5C, while Teddington in London was at 36.1C and Pershore College, Worcestershire, was at 36C, provisional figures from the forecaster show.
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is in place for Northern Ireland as amber warnings for “extreme heat” come into force across parts of England.
The Met Office has also issued an amber extreme heat warning for much of England, covering parts of the south and east, as well as swathes of the Midlands.
Britons have been urged to keep out of the sun during peak hours and told to take precautions to avoid becoming seriously unwell from overheating, dehydration, heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Some rail operators are also urging train passengers to only travel if necessary on Thursday as services will be disrupted because of hot weather.
Hottest day of the year declared as temperatures hit 37.8C
Temperatures have now hit 37.8C in parts of England.
60 firefighters tackling large grass fire in West Midlands
Around 60 firefighters are currently battling a large grass fire in the West Midlands.
The fire service said flames are spreading “across roads” in places as the fire covers an area of around 40 acres, including a wood.
Six properties are also affected, West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service said.
There are currently no reported casualties.
UK weather forecast: How long will the latest heatwave last?
As an amber weather warning for "extreme heat” is in force for large parts of the UK there may be some respite with cooler weather and rain forecast in the coming weeks.
Temperatures are expected to hit 35C across the south east and the Midlands and the UK is on track to see its hottest summer since records began.
But by the weekend temperatures are forecast to drop back to about 27C.
The Met Office long range weather forecast suggests weather systems will move across the UK from the Atlantic from next week bringing rain to parts of the country.
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In pictures: UK grapples with burning heat as temperatures top 37C
Temperatures exceed 37C in parts of England
Temperatures have risen above 37C in parts of England this afternoon, the Met Office has said.
The mercury reached 37.7C in Charlwood, near Gatwick Airport, and 37.2C in Wisley, Surrey.
This year has seen record number of days above 36C, Met Office says
Temperatures have risen to 36C or higher in a number of places on Thursday, the Met Office said.
The latest provisional figures mean that 2026 has seen four days at or above 36C, the most days in a single year to meet that threshold.
By early afternoon on Thursday, Charlwood in Surrey had reached 36.7C, Wisley in Surrey was 36.5C, while Teddington in London was at 36.1C and Pershore College, Worcestershire, was at 36C, provisional figures from the Met Office show.
All the train operators affected by extreme heat on Thursday
A number of train operators across the UK are affected by extreme heat on Thursday, with some advising against all but essential travel.
The operators impacted are:
- Chiltern Railways - advising to only travel if essential today
- East Midlands Railway - advising to only travel if essential today
- Transport for Wales
London bus strikes: When are they and which routes will be affected?
The first wave of “huge disruption” to bus journeys starts this week as more than 1,500 London drivers strike over poor working conditions in hot weather.
Members of the Unite union employed by Arriva North London are set to walk out on 26 dates in August, September and October.
The first of these strikes will take place this week between 4am Friday, 14 August to 4.30am Saturday, 15 August.
In a statement, the union said that drivers have experienced health problems from driving in hot weather, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration.
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Heatwaves to cost UK economy £4.4bn – but there’s worse yet to come
Back-to-back summer heatwaves have wiped £4.4bn from the UK economy so far this year, new research has found, with warnings further losses are likely as scorching temperatures become the new normal.
Researchers added that the UK could lose a total of £25.6bn from summer heatwaves in the years to 2030 if temperatures continue to intensify at the same rate seen over the past decade.
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