School closures as Met Office warns 50 areas facing 40C heat - full list
UK weather LIVE: School closures as Met Office warns 50 areas facing 40C heat - full list
The UK will see heatwave weather conditions.
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Add us as preferred source Comments live By Astha Saxena, Lauran O'Toole 18:38, Tue, Jun 23, 2026 Updated: 18:38, Tue, Jun 23, 2026 
Schools in parts of the UK are closing or sending children home early this week as the Met Office warns of a 40C heatwave.
Temperatures are expected to exceed 30C on Tuesday, but red weather warnings are in place for parts of southern England on Wednesday and Thursday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued its own red heat health warnings, covering the West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England.
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KEY EVENTS
- UK maximum temperatures revealed for today17:55
- Met Office issues red weather warnings for 50 areas07:11
GWR announce changes to timetables
Until the end of day on Thursday June 25, Great Western Railway services will run with the following amendments:
Didcot Parkway - London Paddington services (in both directions) will not call at Slough, Maidenhead or Twyford, or may be revised to run between Didcot Parkway and Reading only.
Newbury - London Paddington services (in both directions) may be revised to run between Newbury and Reading only.
35 mins ago18:22 Lauran O'TooleTomorrow to be even hotter as extreme heat alerts in place
As a reminder, tomorrow it set to be even hotter.
A rare red extreme heat warning is in place from 9am tomorrow to 9pm Thursday for parts of England and Wales.
The Met Office is warning that it will be "hot and humid with exceptionally high temperatures".
1 hour ago17:55 Lauran O'TooleTomorrow is set to be even hotter with extreme heat warnings in place \u26a0\ufe0f
\u2014 Met Office (@metoffice) June 23, 2026
It will be hot and humid with exceptionally high temperatures and this may lead to impacts amongst the general population so it's important to keep safe in the heat
Latest info \ud83d\udc49 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs pic.twitter.com/FPzTU45RNt
UK maximum temperatures revealed for today
The maximum temperatures for today have been revealed by BBC Weather.
England: 34.6C at Wisley
Wales: 32.2C at Cardiff Bute Park
Scotland: 29.0C at Dyce
Northern Ireland: 28.1C at Katesbridge
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1 hour ago17:37 Lauran O'TooleWales records new highest minimum temperature
Wales has provisionally recorded a new highest minimum temperature for June of 20.3C at St Athan, South Glamorgan.
Last night, parts of England & Wales didn’t drop below 20C.
Tonight looks set to be another uncomfortable night!
2 hours ago17:00 Lauran O'TooleLast night, parts of England & Wales didn\u2019t drop below 20\u2103 \ud83c\udf21\ufe0f
\u2014 Met Office (@metoffice) June 23, 2026
In fact, Wales has provisionally recorded a new highest minimum temperature for June of 20.3\u2103 at St Athan, South Glamorgan
Tonight, more areas will remain around 20\u2103, leading to an uncomfortable night\u2019s sleep \ud83d\ude34 pic.twitter.com/fe4n7t2Q8Z
France records its highest temperature since records began
France has recorded its highest temperature since records began, according to the country's national weather service.
Météo-France said temperatures climbed to 44.3C in Pissos, in the south-west of the country, while several other locations also experienced record-breaking heat, including Bordeaux, where the mercury reached 42.1C.
Met Office expecting highest recorded June temperature to be broken
The Met Office is expecting the highest recorded June temperature of 35.6C, set in 1976, to be broken this week.
In a post on social media, it said it also expected the highest minimum temperature for June of 22.7C, which was also set in 1976, to be broken as well.
The forecaster said: “The UK’s June maximum temperature record is expected to be broken this week, and the highest minimum temperature record may be broken as well.
“The high temperatures only tell part of the story however, as high humidity will add to how uncomfortable it is both by day and night.”
3 hours ago16:12 Lauran O'TooleThe UK's June maximum temperature record is expected to be broken this week, and the highest minimum temperature record may be broken as well
\u2014 Met Office (@metoffice) June 23, 2026
The high temperatures only tell part of the story however, as high humidity will add to how uncomfortable it is both by day and night\ud83c\udf21\ufe0f pic.twitter.com/DDw4NUJz1c
Pizza ovens sales soar by 557%
John Lewis said sales of pizza ovens had soared by 557% week on week, while searches on JohnLewis.com for “Silk scarf” were up 200% on last week.
A John Lewis Partnership spokeswoman said: “Our customers are shopping to beat the heat hands-free with sales of neck fans up nearly 230%, while chino shorts are also having their moment in the sun as commuters tackle summer office wear.
“Al fresco dining is having a serious upgrade with sales of premium BBQs up 164%, led by products including Bertha’s Outdoor Charcoal Oven, and with schools closing due to the heat, paddling pool sales are also making a splash, increasing nearly fivefold compared to last week.
“Rose remains a firm customer favourite, with overall sales up 20%, and canned rose up 25%.
“Sales of coffee concentrates are up 26% as shoppers seek out the perfect DIY iced latte, while searches for ‘gazpacho recipes’ on Waitrose.com are up by 200%, tapping into the ‘European summer’ trend.”
3 hours ago15:40 Lauran O'TooleSearches for fans surge by 1,500%
Currys said it had seen an almost 1,500% increase in customers searching for fans on its website compared with last weekend, and a 3,500% increase in searches for air conditioning products over the same period.
A Currys spokesman said: “We’ve seen huge demand for fans and air conditioning units ahead of this week’s heatwave, with sales of fans up nearly 3,000% compared with last week, while air conditioning sales were up by 330%.
“The good news is that we have great availability of brands including Dyson, Shark and many more.”
UK's biggest train operator urges passengers to only travel if essential
The UK's largest train operator has uged passengers to only travel if it necessary.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) includes Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern.
Fewer trains will run on Wednesday and Thursday due to safety-related speed restrictions, with GTR warning that some services may also be cancelled at short notice.
Gatwick Express services will be suspended from early afternoon on both days, although passengers will still be able to travel to the airport using Thameslink and Southern trains.
Customers who no longer plan to travel can claim refunds for tickets purchased for today and the coming days.
Eiffel Tower closes amid scorching temperatures
The Eiffel Tower is closing early to the public today due to the rising temperatures.
A message on its website reads: "We apologize for the inconvenience."
The Paris landmark will close at 16:00 local time, although its operator has given no further information on whether it will reopen as usual on Wednesday.
How hot is it going to be in next two hours?
The Met Office weather map show temperature levels will soar to 35C in the next two hours.
Atleast 312 schools partially closing this week
Atleast 312 schools in England and Wales have been partially closed this week due to the ongoing heatwave conditions, reports BBC.
6 hours ago12:49 Astha SaxenaTemperature levels likely to hit 39C on Thursday
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.”
'London is cooking', UN chief warns
The United Nations chief warned that London is “cooking” as he argued that the would cannot double down on fossil fuels in the face of devastating climate change.
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres was speaking at London Climate Action Week.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Mr Guterres said: “Crisis brings clarity and here in London – the city of Dickens – it is clear that our world is facing a ‘tale of two crises’.
“A climate crisis is pushing us deeper towards higher temperatures and closer to catastrophic tipping points and an energy crisis exposing the folly of a world hooked on hydrocarbons.
“On the surface, these crises may seem separate, but they share the same destructive origin: fossil fuels.”
“London isn’t just calling. It’s cooking,” the UN chief said.
8 hours ago11:22 Astha SaxenaFrance records its hottest night in 79 years
France experienced its warmest night on record since observations began in 1947, according to the country’s official forecaster.
Météo-France reported a provisional average nighttime temperature of 21.6C (70.9F), based on data from 30 monitoring stations between Monday and Tuesday.
Nearly 29k lightning strikes have been recorded in the
The Met Office said 29,074 lightning strikes have been recorded in the UK in the last 24 hours to 9am on Tuesday.
All of these strikes were over England, with the majority - 18,540 - over Somerset.
The Met Office's lightning map also shows there have been hundreds more strikes across south-east England on Tuesday morning.
The highest overnight temperature was 20.4C in Gosport, Hampshire, while eight other place recorded a tropical night where temperatures do not fall below 20C.
These were Crosby, in Merseyside, Plymouth and North Wyke, in Devon, Aberporth, Cardiff and St Athan in Wales, Hurn in Dorset and the Isle of Wight.
9 hours ago10:03 Astha SaxenaOld Wye Bridge between England and Wales closed
The ongoing heatwave has already caused disruptions across Wales, affecting both infrastructure and public services. One major impact is the complete closure of one of the oldest crossings between Wales and England.
Chepstow’s Old Wye Bridge, which had already been shut to vehicles since October due to structural concerns, will also be closed to pedestrians and cyclists from 11:00 BST.
This precaution is necessary because the structure is particularly sensitive to temperatures exceeding 30C (86F).
Full list of London schools with confirmed closures or early finishes
Sydenham School - Closing at 12.15pm Tuesday to Thursday Cheam High School - Compressed days from 8.30am to 1.10pm from Tuesday Fielding Primary School - Closing 12pm Tuesday and shut on Wednesday and Thursday Oaks Park High School - Closing at 12.20pm Tuesday to Thursday Belmont Junior School - Parents asked to pick up at 1.30pm Tuesday to Thursday All Saints Benhilton Primary School - Parents asked to pick up at 1.30pm this week 9 hours ago09:35 Astha SaxenaTrains services reduced due to the heat warning
Avanti West Coast said it plans to run fewer services than usual between Tuesday and Thursday, and “there’s a risk of further disruption”.
The company eased ticket restrictions, enabling passengers to use an earlier service than the one they booked at no extra cost. Those with tickets booked for departures between Tuesday and Thursday are eligible for a full refund if they no longer want to travel.
Chiltern Railways has axed more than half its services over those three days “to ensure the safe operation of the railway”. This affects London Marylebone services to and from Birmingham, Oxford and Aylesbury via Amersham.
Great Western Railway issued a plea for its services to be used for “essential travel only” on Wednesday and Thursday, which is when the Met Office has a severe red warning in place. The operator said prolonged high temperatures can affect equipment on its older regional train fleet, including engines and cooling systems.
It is also running fewer trains than normal between London Paddington and Reading until Friday. This is because Network Rail is not moving some points – pieces of metal that enable trains to change tracks – on the route to cut the risk of failures, which are more likely in high temperatures.
LNER said passengers travelling on Tuesday can board an earlier service, adding “we strongly advise that you do not travel across the LNER route” on Wednesday or Thursday.
South Western Railway issued an alert stating it will run fewer services than normal between Tuesday and Thursday. Its services in Hampton, south-west London were also affected by flooding after heavy rain overnight.
10 hours ago08:55 Astha SaxenaTravellers urged not to commute as heatwave wreaks havoc
Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer, said: "Customers should be aware that, given the very high temperatures that are forecast, we are likely to see some disruption to rail and Tube services - with rail temperatures likely to lead to temporary speed restrictions and therefore reduced services in some cases.
"This will vary by line, with some services that share parts of the overground rail network - like the Overground and the Elizabeth line - likely to be more affected."
Mann added: "We expect bus services to run as normal although, during periods of hot weather, we are encouraging customers to carry water with them when they travel on any of our services."
What do each weather warning mean?
The warning colours explained:
UKHSA has issued a series of Heat Health Alerts
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA said: “We are urging health and social care services across the country to ensure they are prepared. It is vitally important that people understand the risk posed by high temperatures like these, and take steps to keep themselves and their friends, families and neighbours safe.
“A red heat health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population, but simple actions like staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool can make a big difference. It’s also important to look out for others, especially elderly relatives, neighbours, and those with underlying health conditions, to make sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.”
11 hours ago07:47 Astha SaxenaWhat should you expect:
-Population-wide adverse health effects experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to serious illness or danger to life
-Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines will be required
-High risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, with the loss of power and other essential services, such as water, electricity, gas or mobile phone services
-Significantly more people visiting coastal areas, lakes and rivers, leading to an increased risk of water safety incidents
-Delays on roads and road closures, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays
11 hours ago07:31 Astha SaxenaFull list of 83 UK schools closed due to heatwave
Full list of schools that have confirmed closures:
Sydenham School, London
Cranbourne School, Basingstoke
Eggar’s School, Alton
Grateley Primary School, Grateley
Swanmore College, Swanmore
Creswood Community School, Eastleigh
Harrow Way Community School, Andover
The Bulmershe School, Reading
Cheam High School, Surrey
The Hurst School, Tadley
Reading School, Reading
King’s Academy Prospect, Reading
St. Crispins, Wokingham
The Willows Primary School, Newbury
Churchend Primary School, Reading
Ditton Park Academy, Slough
Silverwood School, Wiltshire
Wren Academy, Enfield
Kingdown School, Warminster
Clarendon Academy, Trowbridge
Pewsey Vale School, Pewsey
Dilton Marsh Primary, Westbury
Kingsholm Primary, Gloucester
St Michael’s School, Larkhill
Isebrook School, Kettering
Woodland Middle School Academy, Flitwick (only for year 7 and 8)
The Dorcan Academy, Swindon
St John’s Marlborough School, Marlborough
Malmesbury School, Wiltshire
Finlay Community School, Gloucester
Archway School, Stroud
New Close School, Warminster
St Michael's Academy, Somerset
Piggot C of E School, Wargrave
Radstock Primary School, Earley
Maiden Erlegh School, Reading
Willow Bank Infant School, Woodley
South Lake Primary School, Woodley
River Academy, Reading
Katesgrove Primary School, Reading
Beechwood Primary School, Woodley
Gerrards Cross CofE School
Hughenden Primary School
Princes Risborough Primary School
Ley Hill School
Farnham Common Infant School
Chalfonts Community College
Denham Village School
Haydon Abbey School and Pre-School
Dropmore Infant School
Kingsbrook View Academy
Iver Heath Junior School
Misbourne School
The Iver Heath Infant School and Nursery
Farnham Common Junior School
Overstone Combined School
Marsworth Church of England Infant School
Brookmead School Bourton
Meadow Academy
The Steeple Claydon School
Buckinghamshire Primary Pupil Referral Unit
Bierton Church of England Combined School
Turnfurlong Infant School
Great Kingshill Church of England Combined School
Great Kimble Church of England School
Aylesbury Vale Academy
Weston Turville Church of England School
Disraeli School and Children's Centre
Iver Village Junior School
St Mary's Farnham Royal CofE Primary School
Green Ridge Primary Academy
Orchard View Primary Academy
Ivingswood Academy
Chepping View Primary Academy
Kite Ridge School
Chalfont Valley E-ACT Primary Academy
Waddesdon Village Primary School
Wooburn Green Primary School
Quainton Church of England School
Oakridge School
Denham Green E-Act Primary Academy
Waterside Primary Academy
Waddesdon Church of England School
11 hours ago07:29 Astha SaxenaHow hot is it going to be?
According to the Met Office, the temperature levels are likely to soar to 37C on Tuesday.
What are the forecasters saying
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway, said: “Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events and we’re expecting severe and significant impacts from this heatwave, with health impacts likely for many, even beyond those who are normally more vulnerable to the heat.
The last time the UK recorded temperatures this high was in July 2022, but on this occasion the heat is expected to be accompanied by high humidity.
“As well as very high daytime temperatures, there will be consecutive nights where temperatures do not drop below 20°C, which is called a Tropical Night. This will make it very hard for people to recover from the daytime heat, exacerbating the heat stress impacts.”
12 hours ago07:11 Charlie BradleyMet Office issues red weather warnings for 50 areas
The following areas could see 40C temperatures this week.
East Midlands
NorthamptonshireEast of England
Bedford Cambridgeshire Central Bedfordshire Essex Hertfordshire Luton ThurrockLondon & South East England
Bracknell Forest Buckinghamshire East Sussex Greater London Hampshire Kent Milton Keynes Oxfordshire Reading Slough Surrey West Berkshire West Sussex Windsor and Maidenhead WokinghamSouth West England
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Wales
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Caerphilly Cardiff Carmarthenshire Merthyr Tydfil Monmouthshire Neath Port Talbot Newport Powys Rhondda Cynon Taf Swansea Torfaen Vale of GlamorganWest Midlands
Herefordshire Warwickshire West Midlands Conurbation Worcestershire
