Temperatures have surpassed a sweltering 40C for the first time ever in the UK as the country roasts in unprecedented heat. A staggering 40.2C has been provisionally recorded at London Heathrow, the Met Office said.
The barely believable temperature was hit at 12.50pm as much of England and Wales remains under a red warning for extreme heat. The warning says the heat is so serious it poses a danger to life, will put pressure on the NHS and cause disruption across transport networks.
In a tweet, the Met Office said: "For the first time ever, 40 Celsius has provisionally been exceeded in the UK. London Heathrow reported a temperature of 40.2°C at 12:50 today. Temperatures are still climbing in many places, so remember to stay weather aware."
Read more: UK heatwave LIVE: Major disruption expected on Metro trains today
Scientists have warned the extreme temperatures are a product of climate change, which is making every heatwave more intense, frequent and likely. The new high for daytime temperatures comes after the UK experienced its warmest night on record on Monday, with temperatures remaining in the mid-20s.
The Met Office warned temperatures were still climbing early on Tuesday afternoon. Metro customers are advised to avoid travelling on the network at all today, Tuesday 19 July, amid ongoing severe disruption to services due to the severe heat.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said that its services remain significantly disrupted and that people should not travel unless it was absolutely necessary.
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