UK breaks record for highest temperature.
The UK’s record temperature appears to have been broken amid an extraordinary heatwave that has wreaked havoc across the country.
A maximum temperature of 39.1°C was recorded in Charlwood, Surrey – beating the previous extreme of 38.7°C in Cambridge in 2019.
But temperatures are still rising and the record is likely to be broken again today – with a high of over 40°C a strong possibility.
The Met Office said: “A temperature of 39.1°C was temporarily recorded in Charlwood, Surrey.”
“If confirmed, this would be the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK.”
Scientists have warned that this is just the beginning of the impacts of the climate crisis, which will make extreme heat waves much more common and intense.
The latest record comes as much of the country is grappling with heat near 40C, hampering transport and forcing some schools to close.
Ahead of the heatwave, the Met Office last week issued its first Red Alert – meaning there is a risk to life – for Monday and Tuesday (today and yesterday).
So the UK’s Health Safety Agency issued a level 4 heat health alert – described as an “emergency”.
