Image source, EPA- Published24 June 2026, 12:22 BST
A rare red warning for extreme heat is in force for parts of the UK on Wednesday as temperatures are forecast to hit record levels.
The mercury is predicted to climb to around 37 or 38C in southern England, with a maximum of 39C not out of the question as we go into Thursday.
In advance of the stifling heat, the Met Office extended its red warning further south towards England's south coast. It remains in effect across parts of southern England, the Midlands and south Wales until 11.59pm on Thursday.
There is also an amber warning for extreme heat in place for a wider area of England for the whole of Friday, and another focused on the east and south-east of England on Saturday.
The record for the UK's highest June temperature - 35.6C set in 1976 - is likely to be shattered. However, maximum temperatures are still expected to fall just short of the UK's all-time high of 40.3C set in 2022.
The heat and humidity could also trigger some more stormy weather, with the Met Office issuing a yellow warning for thunderstorms for south-west England, running from 6pm to 11.59pm on Thursday.
Most areas in the south-west are likely to miss the worst of the storms but they could bring disruption in places.
Image caption, The Met Office extended the area of the red warning on Wednesday morning
This marks the first time Wales has ever been under a red warning for extreme heat, and only the second time the Met Office has issued one anywhere in the UK.
Though the highest temperatures are predicted in areas under the red warning, the rest of England and most of Wales will still reach the low to mid-30s.
High humidity levels will make conditions even more uncomfortable, with "feels like" temperatures being significantly higher than actual temperatures, with values into the low 40s Celsius for some.
'Tropical nights' likely with high overnight temperatures
Overnight temperatures will also remain high this week and a number locations will not get cooler than 20C, becoming what is known as a tropical night.
It is likely we will see the warmest June night on record, on either Wednesday or Thursday night as minimum temperatures across Wales, the Midlands and south-east England are not expected to fall below 21 to 23C.
Some places could be warmer than the current UK and England record of 22.7C set in 1979, with the new Wales record set on Monday night of 20.3C possibly beaten again.
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