The United Kingdom has officially recorded its hottest June day ever, with temperatures reaching a scorching 36.1C (97F) in Gosport, Hampshire, on Wednesday afternoon. This new provisional record surpasses the previous high for the month, signaling an unprecedented heat event for the nation.

The extreme heat has led to widespread disruption across England and Wales. Hundreds of schools were forced to close their doors, and train services experienced significant disruptions, with passengers advised to avoid non-essential travel due to the dangerous conditions. The heatwave shows no immediate sign of relenting, with forecasts predicting continued high temperatures through Thursday and Friday.

The Met Office issued a red extreme heat warning, its highest alert level, for parts of south and central England and south Wales. This warning, in effect until Thursday evening, signifies an exceptional period of hot and humid weather with a high likelihood of impacts on the general population. The 36.1C measurement, recorded between 15:00 and 16:00 BST, broke the previous June record of 35.6C, set in Southampton in 1976 and Camden in 1957. The Met Office is currently verifying the new figure.

Other areas of southern England also experienced exceptionally high temperatures, including Wisley, Surrey, at 36C, and Wiggonholt, West Sussex, at 35.9C. Wales recorded its highest temperature of the year so far, with Cardiff Bute Park reaching 33.3C. Meanwhile, Europe is grappling with its own severe heatwave, with France experiencing its hottest day since records began in 1947 and temperatures exceeding 40C in Paris and other regions.

Professor Stephen Belcher, the Met Office's chief scientist, highlighted the link between climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves. He described the current temperatures in the UK during June as "sobering." This is only the second time a red extreme heat warning has been issued since the system was introduced in 2021, underscoring the severity of the current situation.

A wider amber warning for extreme heat covers more of England and Wales through Thursday, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C even in areas as far north as Manchester. Further amber warnings are in place for Friday and Saturday, affecting various parts of England, indicating that the high temperatures will persist into the weekend.

The Met Office has warned that the "feels like" temperature, which reflects how the heat is perceived by individuals, could surpass 40C in some parts of England. This is attributed to high humidity levels, which will make the heat feel significantly more potent, according to Matthew Lehnert, chief forecaster at the Met Office.

The Met Office has stated that the daily UK air temperature record for June, 35.6C, is "very likely to be exceeded in the coming days." This suggests that the 36.1C recorded on Wednesday may not be the peak of this heat event, with further record-breaking temperatures possible.