Festival goers on the Isle of Wight explore ways to keep cool as heatwave expected to hit highs of 34C this weekend
Britons will sweat through 33C heat today with the UK expected to break its record for the warmest day of the year so far for the second consecutive day.
The mercury hit a 2025 high of 32.2C (90.0F) at Kew in West London yesterday after the Government placed the whole of England under an amber heat-health alert.
And thermometers could soar further today as the first official heatwave of the year continues with 33C (91F) forecast – while tomorrow could rise to 34C (93F).
Music fans arriving at the Isle of Wight Festival enjoyed the sunshine as they explored ways to keep cool, from umbrellas to paddling pools and gazebos to parasols.
Thousands of partygoers have descended on Seaclose Park in Newport for the four-day event being headlined by Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber heat-health alert yesterday for the first time since September 2023, which is in force until Monday morning.
The five-day alert which began yesterday warns 'significant impacts are likely' across health and social care services because of high temperatures, including a 'rise in deaths', particularly among those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions.
Temperatures will reach the low 30Cs today and could hit 33C (91F) – with a number of areas expected to have passed the heatwave criteria by this afternoon.
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25C (77F) to 28C (82F) in different areas.
Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said: 'We're expecting the hot and dry conditions to continue. It does turn a little bit hazier in the west during the course of Friday.
From temperatures to sunshine, UK weather records for June
The hottest June temperature recorded in the UK is 35.6C, which was reached in Mayflower Park in Southampton on June 28, 1976.
The same temperature was also measured in Camden Square in North London on June 29 1957, according to Met Office data.
The closest this record has come to being broken in recent years was in 2017, when 34.5C was reached at Heathrow in London on June 21.
Last year, temperatures climbed as high as 30.5C at Wisley in Surrey on June 26.
The 30C mark has been reached in June somewhere in the UK in eight of the past 10 years, the exceptions being 2016 and 2021.
The highest temperature so far this month is 32.2C, which was provisionally measured at Kew in West London yesterday, the Met Office said.
Forecasts suggest 30C will be topped again today and across the weekend, as the current hot spell continues.
The average warmest June on record was in 2023, when the mean temperature for the UK across the month was 15.8C.
This was almost a full degree higher than the previous record of 14.9C, which was set in both 1940 and 1976.
2023 was also the UK's fifth sunniest June on record, with an average of 245.0 hours of sunshine measured during the month.
The record for the sunniest June is 265.1 hours, set in 1957.
'We're still expecting temperatures to reach the low 30Cs, 31C, 32C fairly widely, maybe seeing 33C.'
He added that increasing amounts of cloud will move in from the West tomorrow, with a chance of showers, some possibly thundery in North Wales and North West England, while eastern areas will see another dry and hot day.
Temperatures will be in the low 30Cs, and probably be the peak of the hot spell on Saturday, as 34C (93F) is possible.
However this is still below the June record of 35.6C in 1976 in Southampton.
The last time Britain reached 34C (93F) in June was almost six years ago on June 29, 2019 in London.
Before today, the warmest day of the year so far had been reached last Friday when temperatures got up to 29.4C (84.9F) at Santon Downham in Suffolk.
Mr Stroud said Sunday will be another very warm day in the south and east probably in the late 20Cs. Elsewhere it will be cooler, with highs in the mid-20Cs.
Temperatures are set to be in the mid-20Cs by the start of next week.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UKHSA, said: 'Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions.
'It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.
'The forecasted high temperatures may also lead to an increasing demand for remote healthcare services and an impact on the ability of services delivered due to heat effects on the workforce.'
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation and pollen levels are also climbing alongside temperatures.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley warned that parts of the UK are in for 'tropical nights' this weekend.
He said: 'The nights will also be quite warm, with the possibility of temperatures not falling below 20C in some areas, making it hard to sleep. This is what we term a 'tropical night'.'.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive officer of the British Beer and Pub Association, said sales in some pubs increase almost 20 per cent during hot weather.
She said the current heatwave is a 'huge boon for Britain's brewers and pubs'.
It comes after a warning was issued as firefighters have responded to more than 500 wildfires across England and Wales this year so far.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said that as of yesterday, 564 wildfire incidents have been responded to by English and Welsh fire and rescue services so far this year.
This is a 717 per cent increase on the same period in 2024, and more than double the number seen in 2022 which went on to be the worst year on record for wildfires.
The NFCC is now urging caution among members of the public when enjoying the outdoors in a bid to prevent further spikes in incidents.
As the drier weather continues and temperatures rise, there are also concerns that the UK will see more wildfires in areas where homes and businesses border rural areas, the NFCC added.
The public is also being urged to take care when in, on or around water.
Public safety advice issued by the NFCC includes avoiding the use of disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks, and moorland areas and not discarding cigarettes, matches, or glass bottles, as they can ignite dry vegetation.
With drier conditions during this time of year meaning that fires can burn into peat, and can burn for longer, it is likely some fires will take a number of days - rather than hours - to extinguish, causing more damage and placing further pressure on fire and rescue services, the NFCC added.
Across July 18 and 19 in 2022, the hottest days of that year, 84 wildfires were recorded, and 14 fire and rescue services declared major incidents, nine of which were linked to difficulties in responding due to the increase in operational demand, the NFCC said.
Meanwhile, a number of charities have issued warnings about the potential risks of hotter weather.
St John Ambulance urged the public to familiarise themselves with the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and to learn how to respond.
It comes after a survey of 1,002 adults in England revealed more than half do not know the difference between 'life-threatening' heatstroke, which requires a 999 call, and heat exhaustion, which can be treated by cooling and hydrating a patient.
The British Heart Foundation is encouraging people with heart conditions to take precautions such as staying cool and keeping hydrated to minimise potential health risks during a heatwave, saying the heat can put extra strain on the heart.
Age UK urged people to check in on older relatives, friends, and neighbours to see if they need anything and to make sure they are not feeling overwhelmed by the excessive heat.
Dementia UK issued advice and tips on how to support a loved one with dementia in the heat, including keeping hydrated; staying cool with appropriate clothing; keeping the person out of the heat; cooling the person down by avoiding hot drinks, alcohol and caffeine; and keeping the home environment cool.
RAC breakdown spokeswoman person Alice Simpson warned drivers should 'take every precaution' in the heat.
'When temperatures soar, vehicle breakdowns usually do the same,' she said. 'One of the biggest risks is an increase in cars overheating, especially when sat in queues of traffic with no shade.'
Ms Simpson urged drivers to check their coolant levels and any air conditioning systems that are not working properly, and to take plenty of water and snacks on the road.
People are urged to look after their pets in the heat as well.
British Veterinary Association president Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux said: 'Each summer, vets see pets suffering from heat-related problems and illnesses, such as heatstroke, breathing problems, burnt paw pads and sunburn, some of which can sadly be fatal.'
She said owners should ensure their animals have access to fresh drinking water, good ventilation and shade, advising dog lovers to avoid taking their pets for walks during the heat of the day and to never leave them inside a car, caravan or conservatory.
Tips from the RSPCA include using pet-safe sun cream; ensuring animals have constant access to shade and fresh drinking water at all times; and keeping fish tanks out of direct sunlight.
Others are using cold treats from the fridge for added moisture or make an ice lolly for dogs from pet-friendly ingredients; freezing dogs' water bowls; and wrapping an ice pack or frozen water bottle in a tea towel, or use damp towels for pets to lie on.
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