Britain is bracing for a day of travel chaos and school closures as record-breaking temperatures of 40C are expected on Wednesday.
Thousands of children are set to remain home as schools across the country, including 100 in Somerset, decide it is too hot for the classroom.
Network Rail has advised passengers to only travel if “absolutely necessary” ahead of a rare red weather warning for extreme heat coming into force at 9am.
The Met Office alert stretches from London across to Somerset and Swansea, and up towards Birmingham, until 9pm on Thursday.
A “heat-dome” settling over western Europe could bring extreme high temperatures in some parts of England and Wales, the forecaster said.
Rail companies will run fewer trains and more slowly to keep services safe in the midst of the scorching temperatures.
In response to the weather, the government said it held a COBR meeting on Tuesday morning.
Hosepipe bans have been enforced in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire as South East Water manages increased demand due to the heatwave.
The heat has also forced hundreds of schools to send children home early, while children at some schools have been told they can wear a PE kit rather than a full school uniform.
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Key Points
- Train services across England affected due to 'adverse weather'
- School announce early closure as UKHSA issues red heat health alert
- How does heatwave impact public infrastructure?
- UK braced for record breaking heat as rare red weather warnings come into force
- Full list of schools closing or shutting early as heatwave scorches
Army cancels ceremonial duties in London
07:51 , Holly EvansThe extreme temperatures have forced the Army to cancel ceremonial operations in London and Windsor, to protect the “wellbeing” of its soldiers.
In a post on X, the Army in London said: “Due to extreme heat this week, Ceremonial Operations in London & Windsor will be changed or cancelled. The wellbeing of our soldiers, horses and the public will always come first.”
Due to extreme heat this week, Ceremonial Operations in London & Windsor will be changed or cancelled. The wellbeing of our soldiers, horses and the public will always come first. Full details 👉 https://t.co/pSP9jiwUUw pic.twitter.com/Dx62RJ3qlh
Train lines cancel or run fewer services due to heatwave
07:38 , Holly EvansTransport bosses have urged people to avoid travelling on Wednesday and Thursday and are warning those that do to “prepare for a disrupted journey”.
National Rail warned of disruption to Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink services until Friday.
Avanti West Coast said it planned to run fewer services than usual between Tuesday and Thursday, and that there was “a risk of further disruption”.
And Chiltern Railways said it had axed more than half its services until Friday “to ensure the safe operation of the railway”.
Eurostar has cancelled four trains planned to run between London and Paris on Wednesday and Thursday “due to expected adverse weather”.
We strongly advise you to avoid travelling if possible. Trains are running at greatly reduced levels (fewer than 50% of normal levels on some routes) to ensure everyone's safety, which means you may experience significant delays and very busy conditions
— Chiltern Railways (@chilternrailway) June 24, 2026
For more information,… pic.twitter.com/eickCt9nwm
Recap: Hundreds of schools to close or shut early amid extreme heat
07:01 , Namita Singh- The UK is braced for record-breaking temperatures, with schools to close and people urged not to travel, as rare red heat weather warnings come into force.
- Temperatures could hit 40C on Wednesday and Thursday in some parts of England and Wales as a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe has brought extreme conditions across the continent.
- A red weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham was issued by the Met Office from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.
- Red heat health alerts have also 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.
- These alerts are in place from 1am on Wednesday to 11pm on Thursday, and mean “adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population”.
- Find out if your school is affected - read the full list here:
Full list of schools closing or shutting early during heatwave
Watch: Incredible lightning footage from London thunderstorm during June heatwave
07:00 , Rebecca WhittakerLondon mayor triggers 'high' air pollution alert as Army cancels ceremonial operations amid extreme temperatures
06:34 , Namita SinghThe Cabinet Office held an official-level COBR meeting on Tuesday morning over the severe heatwave and will continue to closely monitor the situation, a Government spokesman said.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has triggered a “high” air pollution alert for the capital on Wednesday on advice from forecasters at Imperial College, the third one this year.
The extreme temperatures have also forced the Army to cancel ceremonial operations in London and Windsor, to protect the “wellbeing” of its soldiers.
In a post on X, the Army in London said: “Due to extreme heat this week, Ceremonial Operations in London & Windsor will be changed or cancelled. The wellbeing of our soldiers, horses and the public will always come first.”
Meanwhile, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it had released extra water into the River Dee to help reduce the risk of fish deaths during the high temperatures.
Will schools close as temperatures hit 38C in the June heatwave?
06:25 , Namita SinghA new wave of scorching temperatures next week is set to bring significant discomfort for millions of school children packed into busy classrooms.
Tuesday and Wednesday could see temperatures reach up to 38C, prompting the Met Office to issue Amber Extreme Heat Warnings from Monday through to Thursday.
Schools across the countries are working on measures to prevent instances of heat exhaustion and fainting, all of which have been reported during heat waves in recent years.
The Independent takes a look at the problems facing UK schools and whether they could close as temperatures reach a year-high.
Patients suggested to carry water during hospital trips
06:13 , Namita SinghNHS trusts across England, including Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust, have advised people attending appointments during the heatwave to make sure they bring water and check travel beforehand.
NHS advice for how to cope during a heatwave includes keeping out of the heat when possible and cooling down with cold food and drinks, and closing windows and blinds during the day to keep the heat out of living spaces.
Residents advised to avoid disposable barbecues amid risk of wildfires
06:10 , Namita SinghThe London Fire Brigade (LFB) has advised people in the capital to keep safe in the heat over the next few days, and be careful with the risk of wildfires and water incidents.
The service urged people to avoid disposable barbecues in parks or open spaces as “they pose a significant fire risk as the heat can be retained for many hours”, and for those having barbecues at home to ensure they are kept “away from flammable materials like fences and sheds”.
Recap: Rail firms warn against travel unless strictly necessary
06:00 , Rebecca WhittakerPassengers with Thameslink, Great Northern and Southern are being urged to travel only if absolutely necessary on 24 and 25 June, after the Met Office issued a rare red extreme heat warning across large parts of its network.
The operators said:
- Safety speed restrictions mean reduced service with fewer trains on Wednesday and Thursday on Thameslink, Great Northern and Southern
- Gatwick Express suspended from early afternoon Wednesday and Thursday – airport still served by Thameslink and Southern trains
- In line with national travel advice, passengers advised to check before travelling on Tuesday and only travel if absolutely necessary on Wednesday and Thursday
- Trains will be busier and journeys will take longer
- Customers should visit the Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern websites for latest travel advice and ticket information before setting off
- Friday’s travel remains under review
Jenny Saunders, customer service director at Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink, said: “I’m sorry for the disruption this is going to cause but with such extreme temperatures forecast, we have to run fewer trains, more slowly to keep services safe.
“I’d really urge our customers to think about what’s best for them and to travel only if absolutely necessary on Wednesday and Thursday.
“If you do have to catch a train, then consider travelling earlier or later in the day when it is cooler, or delaying your trip to later in the week. Please bring lots of water, wear sunscreen and a hat, and have a backup plan in case of disruption.
“And please do check before you travel on one of our websites as the situation could change along with the forecast."
Train services across England affected due to 'adverse weather'
05:40 , Namita SinghTransport bosses have urged people to avoid travelling on Wednesday and Thursday and warning those that do to “prepare for a disrupted journey”.
Avanti West Coast said it planned to run fewer services than usual between Tuesday and Thursday, and that there was “a risk of further disruption”.
And Chiltern Railways said it had axed more than half its services until Friday “to ensure the safe operation of the railway”.
Eurostar has cancelled four trains planned to run between London and Paris on Wednesday and Thursday “due to expected adverse weather”.
School announce early closure as UKHSA issues red heat health alert
05:34 , Namita SinghRed 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.
These alerts are in place from 1am on Wednesday to 11pm on Thursday, and mean “adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and well-being of the population”.
Extreme temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday are expected to cause problems for parents as schools shut early or close to protect pupils amid the heat.
Almost 100 schools in Somerset will be fully closed on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Somerset Council.
And around 100 schools will be at least partially closed over the next two days in Buckinghamshire, along with 86 schools in Gloucestershire, according to council data.
Children at some schools have been told they can wear PE kit rather than full school uniform, which can involve long trousers and blazers
How does heatwave impact public infrastructure?
05:26 , Namita SinghA combination of extreme heat and humidity could impact public health, infrastructure, power and water supplies, the Met Office said, and cause heat-related issues for a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply.
There could also be an increase in water safety incidents during the heatwave, the agency said, as more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes or rivers.
The agency’s spokesperson Grahame Madge said: “The Met Office is flagging 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday, most likely for somewhere in London or the South East.
“It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range.
“It is important to remember that the temperature value is only one element of this extreme heatwave story.
UK braced for record breaking heat as rare red weather warnings come into force
05:06 , Namita SinghThe UK is braced for record-breaking temperatures, with schools to close and people urged not to travel, as rare red heat weather warnings come into force.
Temperatures could hit 40C on Wednesday and Thursday in some parts of England and Wales as a “heat-dome” settling over western Europe has brought extreme conditions across the continent.
A red weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham was issued by the Met Office from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.
During the peak of the heatwave on these two days, the temperature could come close to the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C, which was measured in Lincolnshire in July 2022.
The latest heatwave is also expected to surpass the record for June of 35.6C set in Hampshire in 1976.
Watch: Met Office issues red weather warning in parts of England and Wales
05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerParents facing impossible as thousands of babies living in overheated homes
05:00 , Namita SinghAlmost 1.6 million children, including more than 70,000 babies, are living in overheated homes in England, according to campaigners, who have called for “urgent action” to ensure housing can be kept at safe temperatures.
The National Housing Federation (NHF) warned that with warmer weather becoming more frequent, it is becoming “impossible” for parents to ensure their homes are comfortable.
The Climate Change Committee has previously suggested that hotter temperatures could result in 92 per cent of existing homes overheating, with a prediction that by the middle of the century, the UK’s climate “will be much more extreme than today”.
Charities and campaigners have been warning this week of the dangers to vulnerable people, including the elderly and young children, of extreme heat, with people urged to take precautions where they can as temperatures rise into the high 30s.
But Kate Henderson, chief executive of the NHF, said it is “now clear that increasingly extreme heatwaves are making it impossible for parents, whatever they do, to make their homes completely safe and comfortable” indicating that steps such as drawing the curtains to keep homes cool are no longer enough.
Some 1.59 million children live in homes that get uncomfortably hot, according to NHF and Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) analysis of the 2023 English Housing Survey.
Of these, 70,690 are under the age of one.
Starmer’s replacement as prime minister must slash energy bills, SNP says
04:33 , Namita SinghSir Keir Starmer’s successor must immediately slash energy bills, the SNP has said.
The party made the call as consumers face a 13 per cent rise in energy bills from the start of July – with the average yearly bill climbing to £1,862.SNP Westminster Dave Doogan warned Labour against failing to keep its manifesto pledge to reduce energy bills by £300 by 2030.
Following the Prime Minister’s resignation, and the strong possibility that he will be replaced by Andy Burnham, research from the House of Commons Library on energy prices, commissioned by the SNP, has been published.
It shows the looming price rise will be the sixth increase in energy bills since Labour returned to government in 2024, increasing by £294 in that time.
The SNP said the analysis showed energy had “soared” under successive UK governments.
According to the Commons Library, households at the turn of the century spent an average of £11.44 a week on electricity at today’s prices.
Full list of schools closing or shutting early as heatwave scorches
04:00 , Rebecca WhittakerHundreds of schools in England and Wales are being forced to send children home this week as the UK braces for extreme temperatures.
With the mercury set to reach close to 40C – and a rare red warning for extreme heat coming into force on Wednesday – teachers have expressed concern for their students’ safety during the heatwave.
While there is no maximum temperature limit for classrooms, schools can decide if they want to close early.
Read more here:
Full list of schools closing or shutting early during heatwave
Where bin collection rules are changing due to UK heatwave
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerCouncils across the country have made changes to their bin collection rules as the heatwave is set to bring record-breaking temperatures to the UK.
Authorities including Cheltenham Borough Council, Somerset Council and Bristol Waste have announced they will be starting rounds from as early as 4am so refuse workers can avoid the extreme weather.
Recap: Today's temperature didn't beat 1976 records
02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe highest temperature recorded in the UK on Tuesday was 34.6C in Wisley in Surrey, the Met Office has said.
Tuesday’s maximum temperature does not beat the June record of 35.6C set in Hampshire in 1976 and has not matched the 35.1C recorded on the hottest day of the year so far in Kew Gardens in London on May 26.
Watch: What not to wear to the office during a heatwave
01:00 , Rebecca WhittakerRecap: Weather could peak at 39C on Thursday, Met Office says
Wednesday 24 June 2026 00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Met Office said temperatures could reach a maximum of 39C on Thursday, most likely for somewhere in London or the South East, with higher temperatures “possible”.
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge, said: “The Met Office is flagging 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday, most likely for somewhere in London or the South East.
“Forecast temperature values are indicative and are subject to a slight range either side.
“It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range.
“It is important to remember that the temperature value is only one element of this extreme heatwave story.
“The other major factor is the high humidity which for many will make the intense heat even harder to endure.”
Mapped: Is there a hosepipe ban in my area and what restrictions are in place?
Tuesday 23 June 2026 23:30 , Rebecca WhittakerA UK water company has put a hosepipe ban in place as temperatures begin to spike, with households across the country advised to limit their use.
Read more here:
Mapped: Is there a hosepipe ban in my area and what restrictions are in place?
When will the UK heatwave end? Met Office issues forecast for 15C drop in temperature
Tuesday 23 June 2026 22:45 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Met Office has revealed when the heatwave is likely to end, bringing some relief as the UK braces for extreme heat later this week.
When will the UK heatwave end? Met Office issues forecast for 15C drop in temperature
Extreme heat cancels climate change event on adapting to extreme heat
Tuesday 23 June 2026 21:45 , Rebecca WhittakerExtreme heat in London has led to the cancellation of a climate event on the topic of extreme heat.
The event, which was set to take place on Wednesday at the Shaw Library at the London School of Economics as part of Climate Action Week was cancelled after the Met Office issued a red weather warning for Greater London.
Read more here by Maira Butt:
Extreme heat cancels climate change event on adapting to extreme heat
