UK schools to close early as record-breaking heatwave hits

Multiple schools in England were shutting early Tuesday and set to remain closed for two more days, with a heatwave expected to set new records in the UK as it spreads across Europe.

The UK’s meteorological office issued an extremely rare red heat warning — only issued once before — for Wednesday and Thursday, as temperatures could soar to 40 °C, unprecedented for the time of the year.

The red “extreme heat” warning extends to parts of central and south England, including London and Birmingham, the UK’s two biggest cities.

The Met Office also forecast that the June temperature record—35.6 °C, set in 1976—could be broken on Tuesday, with the mercury expected to rise to 37C in southern England.

“To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering,” said Met Office chief scientist Stephen Belcher.

“Human-induced climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense,” he added, echoing warnings issued by scientists around the world.

Climate experts have also repeatedly told the government that the UK is not prepared for warmer summers.

Dozens of schools said they planned to close early on Tuesday.

A school in southeastern Buckinghamshire said it was closing on Wednesday and Thursday because “most of our buildings cannot be cooled adequately and there is little shade outside”.

Network Rail, which manages most of the UK’s railway, told passengers to “only travel if absolutely necessary” on those days, while the railway line connecting the northeast to London issued a “do not travel” advisory.

The Met Office warned that high overnight temperatures could see “tropical nights” across parts of England and Wales.

“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,” said Met Office deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway.

AFP