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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.
Famous London landmark closed until Friday
One of London’s most iconic landmarks has been closed to visitors due to the extreme red weather warning.
Tourists will no longer be able to visit Tower Bridge on Wednesday or Thursday, with the attraction hoping to reopen on Friday.
Tower Bridge is closed to visitors until Friday (AFP/Getty)
Holly Evans24 June 2026 08:13
Army cancels ceremonial duties in London
The 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.”
Holly Evans24 June 2026 07:51
Train lines cancel or run fewer services due to heatwave
Transport 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”.
Holly Evans24 June 2026 07:38
Recap: Hundreds of schools to close or shut early amid extreme heatThe 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:
Namita Singh24 June 2026 07:01
Watch: Incredible lightning footage from London thunderstorm during June heatwaveIncredible lightning footage from London thunderstorm during June heatwave
Rebecca Whittaker24 June 2026 07:00
London mayor triggers ‘high’ air pollution alert as Army cancels ceremonial operations amid extreme temperatures
The 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.
Namita Singh24 June 2026 06:34
Will schools close as temperatures hit 38C in the June heatwave?
Sasha (centre) with her daughter Maureen (right) and friend Sammi (left) cool off in the River Darent on 19 June 2026 in Eynsford, United Kingdom (Getty)
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.
Namita Singh24 June 2026 06:25
Patients suggested to carry water during hospital trips
NHS 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.
(AFP/Getty)
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.
Namita Singh24 June 2026 06:13
Residents advised to avoid disposable barbecues amid risk of wildfires
The 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”.
(Getty)
Namita Singh24 June 2026 06:10
Recap: Rail firms warn against travel unless strictly necessary
Passengers 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.
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.”
Rebecca Whittaker24 June 2026 06:00