Britain roasts on hottest day of the year as mercury hits 30.6C
Porthmadog in North Wales recorded a temperature of 30.6C, passing yesterday's top of 30.1C on the latest day in a heatwave week.
Tuesday 26 June 2018 22:45, UK
Temperatures soared way past 30C in some areas as the UK enjoyed another day of a heatwave that shows no sign of cooling down.
Porthmadog in North Wales recorded a temperature of 30.6C, passing yesterday's top of 30.1C on the latest day in a heatwave week.
The Met Office placed its heat health warning at level two - meaning social and healthcare services should be at the ready to alleviate some of the harmful impacts of a heatwave.
In London, temperatures caused serious transport delays, and at Waterloo station commuters were faced with scenes of chaos with seriously delayed and sweltering trains crowded with passengers.
The disruption was caused by overheating tracks, forcing trains to run between 20mph and 40mph slower than normal - leading to later trains and congestion.
Beaches and parks were far more crowded than usual as people took advantage of the warm weather to top up their tans, relax in the sunshine or go for a dip.
Many enjoyed temperatures hotter than Athens and on a par with Kuala Lumpur and Brazil's Rio.
Temperatures are set to get even hotter and could reach 33C on Thursday - far more than the UK average of 17.3C for this time of year - and meteorologists say it is likely to continue into next month.
"At the moment it looks like that will be the general theme through much of July," Met Office spokesperson Alex Burkill said. "Generally it looks like it will stay drier and warmer than average."
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Animal rights organisations have reminded pet owners that dogs can die in hot cars, and urged them to provide pets with plenty of water and to look out for the signs of heatstroke such as panting, glazed eyes and shaky legs.
Authorities have also urged people to take care when keeping cool after a boy went missing at a lake in Stoke-on-Trent.
Police are now searching for Ryan Evans, 13, and have warned people that swimming in open water can be dangerous.
A fire on Saddleworth Moor also highlighted some of the costs of hot weather, with 50 firefighters and three wildfire units deployed to tackle a blaze that left a portion of hillside "devastated".
Britons have also been reminded to drink plenty of liquids in the heat, apply suncream when outside, and keep an eye on elderly relatives who are likely more vulnerable to heatstroke.
"It's vitally important that we keep an eye on friends, family and neighbours who may be at risk, and chances are we'll all know someone if we're all going to stay well this summer," Dr Thomas Waite of Public Health England said.