The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for extreme heat on Wednesday and Thursday
A new amber warning has also been issued for parts of the region on Friday
During the peak of the heatwave, the temperature could come close to the UK's all-time high of 40.3C
Hundreds of schools have closed or finished early for the day to protect children from the heat
A new thunderstorm warning has been issued for Somerset on Thursday
The UK's health agency has also extended its red heat alert across the West until 23:00 BST on Friday
You can see our tips on how to stay cool here
Our live coverage of the heatwave from BBC West is coming to an end for the day.
We will continue our reporting on the second day of the red heat health alert in place across the region tomorrow.
You can still follow live coverage from across the UK here.
Matty Edwards
West of England
The red heat health alert for the south west has been extended until 23:00 BST on Friday, following a risk assessment by the UK Health and Safety Agency and the Met Office.
The extreme heat warning, which also covers other parts of central and southern England, came into force on Wednesday and was initially due to end on Thursday evening.
Ben Marvell
BBC News, Wiltshire
Image source, Cholderton Rare Breeds FarmAimee Edwards from Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm near Salisbury told BBC Radio Wiltshire that despite attempts to keep the farm’s alpacas cool by bringing in paddling pools, the animals were not cooperating.
“They are wary of them [the paddling pools]. I think it's the bright colours of them. They have a little drink from it, and we've been trying to coax them in when we can, just to kind of help cool them down,” she said.
“We just want to kind of give them the option. If not, we just hose them down whether they like it or not, just to help keep them cool."
She added the staff had also given the alpacas ice pops containing fruit and vegetables to munch on, while providing ice cubes for the farm’s guinea pigs and rabbits.
Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather
Temperatures this week are set to reach into the mid-30Cs, like they did in May.
But for many, this heatwave will feel harder. Where the forecast is a maximum of 35C, it may feel like 41C, which is down to a combination of factors.
Firstly, the area of high pressure known as a 'heat dome' originated in the UK in May, but this time it came from the hot and humid-sub tropics, causing moister air to spread to the UK.
Secondly, high humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate, which usually is what cools us down.
And finally, we're experiencing back-to-back tropical nights with temperatures staying above 20C, which were not common in previous heatwaves. It means we can't cool down in between the sweltering days.
Read more on why this heatwave feels worse than the last one.
Alice Bouverie
Earlier we heard from the founder of Bristol's Oasis Academy Trust Steve Chalke, who said the reason they had to close sites was due to staff not being able to work, as their own children's schools were closed.
Chalke has now told BBC Points West that schools, unions and the government need to join up to make short, medium and long-term plans to manage the disruption.
"In the future, we're going to see more and more of this," he said.
"This is a societal issue and we kick the ball of climate change down the road time after time. It's now knocking at our doors."
He added: "If we're going to successfully navigate the future for our children in school, we have to think about a more resilient pathway that deals with peaks and troughs in temperature."
Image source, Getty ImagesGreggs has temporarily closed two stories in the West today and tomorrow for the safety of staff and customers.
The stores affected are in Trowbridge and Marlborough, in Wiltshire, along with nine others in different parts of the country.
Daisy Bodkin
Gloucester
Claire Savory, CEO of The GLA Trust, which runs 11 primary schools across Gloucestershire, has said this is “unprecedented times” for schools.
She said each of the trust’s schools have undertaken risk assessments, with some closing and others staying open, depending on how safe each site is.
Measures are in place for the schools that remain open, such as amending hours to work around the hottest times in the day, relaxing their uniform approach and reducing physical activity.
Savory says children are even sitting in their lessons with their feet in drawers that have been filled with water, to keep them cool.
Image source, HandoutAvon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, external says some conditions and medications can affect how the body manages heat, or recognises when something isn’t right.
This makes it extra important to stay aware and supported during hot days.
Here are a few tips:
Emery, from Gloucester, is having a good afternoon.
The 17-year-old ice cream man is out with his dad and says customers are coming out on "almost every street" during their rounds, with the heat being “good for money and for the business".
But there are costs too - everything in the van is plugged in overnight to keep it cool for the next day.
During scorching days, they make sure to keep the windows open and have a vent in place to stop their 99s and lollies becoming puddles.
Circa Waves fans were urged to stay hydrated during their gig at Bristol's Amphitheatre on Tuesday evening, which marked the start of the Bristol Sounds festival.
Concerts are still set to go ahead on Wednesday and Thursday despite the red weather warning, with extra water stations provided to help people stay cool.
Image source, AJ Clark
Image source, AJ Clark
Image source, AJ ClarkBen Marvell
Wiltshire
Wiltshire Council’s head of highways Chris Clarke told BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Ben Prater earlier that potential problem sites were being monitored closely.
“Where we've undertaken surface dressing earlier this year, potentially those roads are likely to be at higher risk, we're proactively monitoring those sites," he said.
“If we start to get difficulties with them, then our contractor will be able to dust them down with sand to sort of absorb the excess bitumen that's coming away there, so you may well see some gritters out and about."
He said drivers should pay extra attention to the roads in the hot conditions.
“I think it's about allowing some additional time," he said. "If you are traveling, go somewhat slower, and if you do start seeing roads that are sort of becoming black and wet - shiny with the bitumen - then it is a case of slowing down and taking some caution as you drive along.”
The AA has also issued advice to drivers during the heat, external.
Image source, ReutersTemperatures are expected to reach up to 37C in parts of southern England later, smashing the previous record for June.
But as the climate changes, scientists are warning that even hotter temperatures are likely in the years ahead and have said the UK needs to prepare for extreme heat.
"We expect increasing temperatures and the breaking of temperature records due to climate change," said Lizzie Kendon, professor of climate science at the University of Bristol and head of climate projections at the UK Met Office.
"What is so extraordinary, however, is the margin by which the record will be broken."
While temperatures vary naturally from year to year, UK summers have clearly been getting warmer.
Between 2015 and 2024, the number of days exceeding 30C in the UK more than trebled compared with the 1961-1990 average, the Met Office says.
The maximum temperature recorded each year has shot up too.
Reaching 35C was a rare event throughout the 20th Century – but six out of the past 10 years have passed that mark.
You can read more here.
Steve Powell
Portishead
Mum-of-three Hayley Williams from Portishead says she is lucky her mum has been able to help with childcare during the school closures this week.
"It's probably the right decision because it's really hot and there's probably no air conditioning in the school. Whatever has to be done has to be done," Williams said.
"I've just bought a paddling pool so they [the kids] can play in it."
She said she received an email from St Peter's Primary on Monday announcing closures on Wednesday and Thursday.
"I'm a midwife and I was on call last night. I'm very lucky with childcare, so my mum stayed over at our house and looked after the children, but friends have really struggled to sort childcare out," Williams added.
Our reporters are out across the West capturing the impact of the extreme heat sweeping the region, including in Bristol where people have been trying their best to stay cool in the city centre.
Ben Marvell
Wiltshire
Wednesday's scheduled horseracing meet at Salisbury was called off earlier this week after the extreme red heat warning was issued.
Marlborough-based horse racing trainer Emma Lavelle told BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Marie Indge that the decision had been taken automatically.
“These temperatures are extreme. When you're in a red weather warning, the policy is that the meeting will get abandoned.”
She added that her priority was keeping her horses cool ahead of next Tuesday’s rescheduled races.
“We're exercising them early in the morning, and then washing them off. We probably do a little bit less work with them at this at this stage, because it is hot, and then they get washed off again through the day.
"I think they look a lot cooler than some of some of us working in the yard.”
Image source, Getty Images
Sarah Turnnidge
West of England
Image source, JosieAfter Monday saw flash flooding and thousands of lightning strikes, a new yellow weather warning for thunderstorms, affecting the South West, has been issued by the Met Office.
Large areas of Somerset, along with Devon and Cornwall, are included in the warning which predicts possibly disruptive storms between 18:00 and 23:59 BST on Thursday.
Residents have been told to expect a small chance of buildings being damaged by the sudden arrival of strong winds, poor driving conditions, short term loss of power and possible flash flooding.
Those in the area have been asked to consider whether they may be at risk from flooding and, if so, to prepare a flood plan and emergency flood kit.
Moveable objects like bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences should be well secured.
Those who find themselves outside during a storm should protect themselves by finding a safe enclosed shelter, such as a car, the Met Office added. Do not shelter under or near trees, and anyone on an elevated area should move to lower ground.
Sarah Turnnidge
West of England
The University of Gloucestershire has reminded residents a number of air-conditioned public spaces across its campuses are open to the community.
They have welcomed people into their buildings to cool off, as well as to work or study.
At the University's City Campus in Gloucester, members of the public can access Gloucester Library, while at Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester, the ground floor of the business school is open.
Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
West of England
Britain’s electricity grid operator says the UK's power supply could struggle as extreme heat puts pressure on the system.
It marks a rare summer call for more power from the National Energy System Operator (Neso) amid record-breaking temperatures - the notice is typically sent during winter when demand for heating is higher.
Neso assured it is a “routine tool” and stressed it “does not mean electricity supply is at risk”.
The call for more power is in effect from 19:00 to 22:00.
Image source, David GriffinJasmine Ketibuah-Foley
West of England
Image source, Met OfficeThree separate heat-related warnings are in place across the West for the next few days. Here's what you need to know:
Ben Marvell
Wiltshire
Hundreds of schools across the West are closed, sparking calls from unions NAHT and NASUWT for buildings to be modernised and a legally enforceable maximum classroom temperature to be set.
BBC Radio Wiltshire’s Ben Prater has been speaking to Mike Welsh, the executive head teacher at Goddard Park Community Primary School and Daycare Centre in Swindon, which is closed.
“This is extreme," he said. "We've never had a red alert, and if you look at the map of England showing where the red alert is, we're right into it.
“So it has to be a school by school risk assessment undertaken, and you know, if you feel that you cannot keep your children safe, which is the most fundamental thing a school can do, then you should close.”
He said “very tight budgets” over the past 20 years meant there was “little money" to invest in air conditioning.
"We're going to have to have a national investment across the education sector in order to get air conditioning in," he added.
The Department for Education said it does not normally advise schools to close during hot weather because attendance is “the best way for pupils to learn and reach their potential”, but it added school leaders should take “any steps necessary to make sure children are safe and comfortable”.
