Several schools across England are closing early or shutting down temporarily as an intense heatwave sweeps across the United Kingdom, with forecasters warning that temperatures could reach record levels.
The UK Met Office has issued a rare red warning for extreme heat covering parts of central and southern England, including London and Birmingham, for Wednesday and Thursday.
Authorities say temperatures could climb to as high as 40°C, an unprecedented level for this period of the year.
Forecasters also said the country’s June temperature record of 35.6°C, set in 1976, could be surpassed, with temperatures expected to reach 37°C in parts of southern England on Tuesday.
Met Office Chief Scientist Stephen Belcher described the situation as alarming.
“To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering,” he said, attributing the growing frequency and intensity of such weather events to human-induced climate change.
Experts have repeatedly warned that Britain remains ill-prepared for increasingly hot summers linked to climate change.
As the heat intensifies, dozens of schools have announced plans to dismiss students early, while some will remain closed for the remainder of the week.
One school in Buckinghamshire said it would shut its doors on Wednesday and Thursday because its buildings could not be cooled adequately and there was limited shade available outdoors.
Transport operators are also taking precautions. Network Rail advised passengers to travel only if necessary during the peak of the heatwave, while rail operators on routes linking northeast England to London issued warnings urging people to avoid non-essential journeys.
The Met Office further warned that unusually high nighttime temperatures could result in “tropical nights” in parts of England and Wales, offering little relief from the daytime heat.
Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway said the heatwave could have serious consequences for public health.
“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,” he said.