Temperatures in parts of England hit 36Cpublished at 16:20 BSTBreaking
And the temperature continues to rise - the provisional June record now stands at 36C, which was recorded in Wisley, Surrey.
Summary
The record for the hottest ever June day in the UK has been provisionally broken, with temperatures soaring to 36C in Wisley, Surrey
50-year record falls: It surpasses the previous record of 35.6C set in 1976
Warnings: A red warning for extreme heat in parts of England and Wales has been extended, while a new amber heat warning is issued for Saturday in southern and eastern England
Disruption: Rail passengers are being warned to avoid non-essential travel, while more than 1,000 schools in England and Wales were shut or closed early
Coping with the heat: Bricklayer Elijah has been starting work early to avoid the afternoon sun, while Davide and Vanessa tell the BBC they've been forced to use the stairs after the lift broke down in their 23-storey building
How to stay cool: Fans, loose clothing, lots of water - follow these tips
Temperatures in parts of England hit 36Cpublished at 16:20 BST
Why are temperature records 'provisional'?published at 16:09 BST
Ben Rich
Lead Weather PresenterWhen a new record temperature is reached, it is almost always described as “provisional”, like today's new June record of 35.7C.
This is because the Met Office - along with national weather services around the world - has a responsibility to make sure weather and climate records are accurate and consistent, meeting internationally-agreed standards.
Once a provisional temperature is set, checks will be carried out to make sure the measuring equipment is properly calibrated and that conditions around the site at the time of the observation didn’t have an impact on the readings.
For instance, a record could be discounted because temporary buildings were erected close to the measuring site or even because the grass or plants close to the weather station were not properly maintained.
In 2022, a temperature of 35.1C that was recorded at Floors Castle in the Scottish Borders – and provisionally thought to be a new record for Scotland – was discounted because the site didn’t meet Met Office standards.
This quality control process can take days or weeks, and a record will remain provisional until those checks are completed.
'Sobering': Climate change will fuel extreme heat, says Met Officepublished at 16:03 BST
Image source, EPA/ShutterstockClimate change has led to more frequent and intense heatwaves, says the Met Office's chief scientist.
Professor Stephen Belcher says human-induced climate change has made events like this "more likely and more intense".
"To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering," he adds.
Met Office projections indicate hot spells will become more frequent in the future, particularly over the south-east of the UK.
New provisional June temperature record of 35.7C setpublished at 15:49 BST
BreakingTemperatures have soared to 35.7C in Charlwood, Surrey, surpassing the UK's previous June temperature record from 1976 of 35.6C.
Train services across Wales cancelled due to hot weather, operator sayspublished at 15:41 BST
BBC Wales NewsTransport for Wales (TfW) has cancelled services across Wales due to extreme heat and a shortage of trains.
Routes affected are between Manchester and Cardiff, Coryton and Penarth, Ebbw Vale and Cardiff, Bridgend and Maesteg, Chester and Wrexham, Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog, and Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay.
Most routes will remain cancelled until the end of the day, the operator warns.
People in 23-storey block left climbing the stairs after lift breaks down in heatpublished at 15:33 BST
Sadaf Maruf
Your Voice news editorDavide and Vanessa got in touch with BBC Your Voice after the third lift in their 23-storey building broke down this week due to the heat.
The increasing temperatures have taken a toll on the residents of the block in Canary Wharf trying to leave their flats or go home.
Davide says he had to help a woman with a baby climb up to her flat on the 20th floor yesterday, and there are a few elderly people living in the building's 134 flats.
He says residents were told it would be within four hours but they are still waiting and have heard nothing since yesterday,
Vanessa, who rents her flat and has lived in the building for two years, says she had to climb 16 floors with her husky Luna after work using the small airless emergency stairs.
“Its now been 48 hours in this heat. Its just ridiculous, “ she says. “There are always issues with the lifts but never all three out of order.”
The company that manages the building, Sanctuary, has apologised for the issues and says in a statement “our lift contractor is working hard to restore them and we are clear on the urgent need to resolve the problems as soon as possible".
Temperatures pass 35C in parts of Englandpublished at 15:20 BST
Another temperature update - 35.3C has been recorded in Gosport, Hampshire, and Wisley, Surrey.
We are getting very close to that June record of 35.6C.
Image source, Solentgirl / BBC Weather WatchersImage caption, This picture of Gosport was taken this morning by a BBC Weather Watcher
Stick to low impact exercise today, says yoga instructorpublished at 15:11 BST
Lola Schroer
BBC News, reporting from Richmond
Image caption, Fitness instructor Zhivka Slavova taught a yoga class this morning
As temperatures continue to soar, people here in Richmond are finding different ways to stay cool.
Along the riverside, some have been dipping their toes inside, while others have been seeking relief at ice cream vans or retreating to air-conditioned pubs for lunch.
But despite the heat, not everyone is slowing down.
Local fitness instructor Zhivka Slavova taught a yoga class this morning and says turnout was still strong.
She says if people want to stay active during the hot weather it's "important to stay hydrated" and to "prioritise low impact exercise and movement" if you are going to leave the house.
Temperatures soar past 34C in parts of Englandpublished at 14:59 BST
The highest temperatures recorded so far today have been at Bournemouth Airport and Thorney Island in West Sussex, where it was 34.7C as of 14:00.
That tops yesterday, when the maximum temperature in England was 34.6C - and it's going to get hotter still.
Forecasters says the UK’s June temperature record, which stands at 35.6C, could be broken today.
(Not) full steam ahead on the Yorkshire Moorspublished at 14:50 BST
Rowan Bridge
North of England reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which operates steam trains, says it’s switching to diesel locomotives on parts of its route because of the weather.
The volunteer-run railway says it’s taken the decision because of the increased risk of triggering fires by the line in the heatwave.
It says problems could be caused by sparks coming out of the train’s chimneys potentially starting fires.
It’s switched to diesel for the route which runs between Pickering and Grosmont through the North Yorkshire Moors.
It’s still running steam trains in the areas at lower risk between Grosmont and Whitby, but says it’s monitoring the situation.
Factor 50 and keeping cool - the heatwave in picspublished at 14:39 BST
Image source, EPA/ShutterstockImage caption, A man readies himself - with a little help - for the sun's rays at Margate
Image source, ReutersImage caption, Pupils at Harris Academy Primary Mayflower school are keeping cool during a maths lesson with ice lollies
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, People are looking for all manner of way to find some shade
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, And what a day to be punting on the River Cam in Cambridge
'It's going to be absolutely dreadful'published at 14:31 BST
Yasmin Malik
BBC Newsbeat
Image source, Jake BirdImage caption, No working from home for engineer Jake
Telecoms engineer Jake Bird is among those who can't avoid the sun when he's at work.
The 21-year-old from Oxfordshire spends his working day climbing up telephone poles in full PPE and a harness.
He says he plans to keep working as he's self-employed but will have to take strategic cooling breaks.
Jake adds: "Here it’s going to be 36 degrees and that is just insane, especially going up a pole in all that kit and everything. It’s just going to be absolutely dreadful."
Eurostar advises vulnerable passengers to postpone tripspublished at 14:23 BST
Image source, Getty ImagesThe majority of Eurostar's trains are continuing to operate on both cross-Channel and continental routes, but the operator advises vulnerable passengers to postpone their journey "where possible".
A spokesperson for the high speed rail operator says it has a small number of cancellations due to extreme heat conditions affecting rail infrastructure.
High speed trains between Brussels and the French border will "run at reduced speeds", at the request of Belgium's infrastructure network operator, the spokesperson says.
This will not affect London-Paris trains, and the company adds that Eurostar customers can change their journey for free if they wish to travel outside the heatwave.
More than 800 schools in England disrupted by heatwavepublished at 14:12 BST
Hazel Shearing
Education correspondentWe've now counted 837 schools in England which have fully or partially closed, or which are offering parents the option to pick their children up early.
Most schools are open, but that doesn't mean all their pupils are present. Some trusts have reported a big impact on attendance.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is warning that pupils in England shouldn't be missing school when they can go in because they'll miss out on learning.
"I know hot weather can be a struggle. But my message to families is simple: if your child’s school is open, you should keep sending them into school," she says.
“Every day of absence and lesson missed has a cost – and that cost falls hardest on our most disadvantaged pupils and working class communities.”
She adds that relaxed uniform rules are among the things schools are doing to keep children cool, and any family with concerns about medical needs should talk to their school.
Hundreds of schools are also fully or partially closed in Wales.
Temperatures nearing 34C in parts of England - latest UK temperaturespublished at 14:04 BST
Temperatures in England reached 33.9C at 13:00 this afternoon, recorded at Thorney Island in West Sussex.
Cavendish in Suffolk was 33.6C at the same time, while both Wisley in Surrey and Shoreham in West Sussex reached 33.4C. A maximum of 39C is not out of the question for southern England on Wednesday.
It was 30.3C in Cardiff, Wales. In Scotland, the 13:00 temperature was recorded as 24.2C in Charterhall. In Northern Ireland, it reached 23.4C at Castlederg.
Letter and parcel deliveries to continue, says Royal Mailpublished at 13:59 BST
Image source, PA MediaLetters and parcels will continue to be delivered as normal through the heatwave, Royal Mail says.
But the company says measures are in place to help manage the severe heat for postal workers.
It says local teams will review their plans and "adjust working arrangements where needed" to avoid over-burdening staff during the hottest parts of the day.
High temperatures, weather warnings and disruption - where we're atpublished at 13:52 BST
Manish Pandey
Live reporter
Image source, EPA/ShutterstockTemperatures have continued to rise throughout the day, with highs of 37 or 38C expected to break the record for June later.
The Met Office's red warning for extreme heat is in effect and has been extended to 23:59 BST on Thursday.
The East Midlands, East of England, London & South East England, South West England, Wales and the West Midlands are all included - read more on what an extreme heat warning means for you.
High humidity will make it feel particularly hot when combined with the strong sunshine, says our forecaster.
The heat has caused significant disruption, with over 1,000 schools fully or partially closed in England and Wales.
Transport has also been hit, with rail operators altering their services and National Rail warning passengers not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Meanwhile, in Europe the heatwave continues, with half of France remaining under a red heat alert.
Early starts for brickie Elijah to avoid the extreme heatpublished at 13:42 BST
Peter Gillibrand
BBC Newsbeat
Image source, SuppliedImage caption, Elijah brings in water and ice lollies to help keep his team cool
Bricklayer Elijah knows a thing or two about working in the elements.
He spends every working day outside and tells BBC Newsbeat that getting through bad weather, be it cold or heat, is just “part of the job”.
“I tried to keep the complaining to a minimum because about ten months of the year, you're in rain and the cold,” he says.
He admits the heat has been “a lot to deal with”, adding: “We've been starting early, at like 06:30 or 07:00, and trying to get out by midday because by [that time], there's not much you can really do at that point.”
He's laying on water and ice lollies to help keep his employees cool but says “I tell people if they don't want to come in because of the heat don't bother, don't risk it".
Greggs closing stores due to baking temperaturespublished at 13:32 BST
Esyllt Carr
Business reporter, BBC News
Image source, Getty ImagesGreggs has temporarily closed 11 stores today and tomorrow for the safety of staff and customers.
Staff at one London branch say employees have been moved from one shuttered store to others around capital, telling the BBC: “It's very hot. We have industrial ovens but no proper air conditioning in stores.”
The stores affected are: Aldridge, Wolverhampton, Luton, Gosport, Trowbridge, Barnet, Marlborough, Wantage, Dudley, Northampton and Leicester Square, London.
A good day to be in the ice cream tradepublished at 13:26 BST
Jasmine Sandhar
BBC Newsbeat
Image caption, The heat's been good for Emery's business
Emery, 17 from Gloucester, is having a good afternoon.
The 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.
The family also run a burger van but that’s taking a back seat this week. Emery says: "You have the air fryers coming up for 120 degrees. My co-worker’s shirt was drenched in sweat."
