Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Alexandra Rucki

UK temperature set to hit 39C as Greater Manchester braced for more thunderstorms

Britain could bake under record-breaking heat as temperatures could potentially climb to 39C today.

The scorching conditions may spark thunderstorms which could trigger travel delays, flash flooding, and power cuts.

It is going to be another baking hot day in Greater Manchester with temperatures set to climb to 33C.

The Met Office have issued a yellow weather alert warning of the risk of thunderstorms covering Greater Manchester.

It is in place from 3pm today until 4am tomorrow morning, which means the storms could caused travel chaos during evening rush hour.

It comes after Greater Manchester was battered by a fierce storm in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Read more of today's top stories here

Many Mancunians were woken up by the loud claps of thunder and flashes of light from around 2am.

A house in Winsford, Cheshire, was damaged by a lightning strike during the storm.

The sweltering conditions mean Network Rail have been forced to introduce speed restrictions in some areas where tracks are at risk of buckling.

London and the South East of the UK are expected to see the hottest temperatures today, with the mercury potentially reaching 39C.

According to the Met Office, there is a 60% chance temperatures could rise above the current all-time UK temperature record of 38.5C.

"It will get into the 30s across the country and reach the mid-30s in the south-east," Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said.

"If it is to get to 39C, it will happen somewhere between London and Cambridge.

"Temperatures locally could also break July or all-time records."

Northern Rail have warned speed restrictions will be placed on the East and West Coast Mainline between 12pm and 8pm today.

Extreme weather action teams (EWATs) have been "activated" to keep passengers safe and trains running, it said.

Visitors enjoy Hollingworth Lake in the sunshine (Manchester Evening News)

East Midlands Trains and Virgin Trains West Coast have also said services will be revised and advise passengers to check before travelling.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service issued a warning over the dangers of cooling off in lakes and rivers earlier this week.

The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the industry, advised passengers in London and the South East to consider changing their travel plans on Thursday owing to the heat.

Thunderstorms are heading for Greater Manchester once again (Manchester Evening News)

London North Eastern Railway (LNER), which runs inter-city services on the East Coast Main Line, is advising customers against travelling on Thursday.

It said some services were likely to be cancelled or delayed as speed restrictions will be imposed between Peterborough and London King's Cross.

The Met Office has warned heatwaves are on the increase as a result of climate change.

It is even possible the mercury could climb to 40C, which would be "unprecedented" for the UK climate, weather forecasters said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.