Scorcher! Hottest June day on record sees Britain boil

Britain has recorded its hottest June day on record, shattering the previous high, which has stood since 1976.

- EMILY BEAMENT

The record broke three times yesterday, with highs of 36C recorded at both Wisley in Surrey and Gosport in Hampshire, the Met Office said. This came after 35.8C was recorded in Wiggonholt, West Sussex, and 35.7C in Charlwood, Surrey.

This unprecedented heat surpasses the previous record of 35.6C, which had stood since 1976 and 1957. The record-breaking temperatures arrived as much of England and Wales endured exceptionally hot and humid conditions, prompting a rare red warning for extreme heat from the Met Office. Forecasters suggested that the figures could climb further, with more records potentially being broken in the coming days.

The intense heatwave, which has already triggered health warnings, school closures, and significant transport disruption, is being driven by a "heat-dome" that is currently settled over western Europe, bringing extreme conditions across the continent.

Experts warn that the collapse of the 50-year-old record is a stark illustration of climate change, which is primarily fuelled by the burning of fossil fuels. This is leading to increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves, for which the UK is reportedly unprepared.

Figures are currently provisional, and will be verified at the end of the heatwave to check whether they constitute a new national record. Met Office science manager Amy Doherty said: "If confirmed, a new June daily temperature record would be significant, especially following on the heels of the recent records set in May.