1,000 or more schools in England and Wales are shut or closing early as temperatures soar across the United Kingdom (UK).
This is the second time that a red warning has been issued since 2021, when the Met Office began issuing extreme heat warnings. The first was in July 2022, when the UK set its new all-time temperature record of 40.3°C.
According to reports, a red warning for extreme heat in parts of England and Wales, which was set to expire at 23:59 BST on Thursday, June 25, has been extended to cover more of southern England.
The alert represents the Met Office’s most severe level and means there could be a risk to life as well as transport delays.
Meanwhile, rail passengers are being warned to avoid non-essential travel, with an amber warning for heat already in place for much of the rest of England and Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded their hottest days of the year so far on Tuesday, June 23.
