Europe heatwave - live: Met Office records hottest day of the year in UK and France declares first ever 'red alert' as temperatures continue to soar

Follow live updates as mercury reaches 34C in England

UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

Britain has recorded its hottest day of the year so far, as the country basks in the heatwave brought by an “enormous” bubble of warm air from the Sahara.

A temperature of 34C was recorded at Heathrow on Saturday afternoon – soaring past the 33C highs experienced in the Caribbean island of Jamaica today.

Temperatures were set to climb further this afternoon, with the south east expected to see the most intense conditions and highs of 35C forecast for London.

The Saharan winds that have been spreading scorching temperatures across the continent don't look set to give Europe a break today.

Temperatures could reach new record-highs again in France, Belgium and Switzerland. In Spain, officials are warning that more ‘significant’ wildfires could break out as the mercury reaches 45C.

See how the heatwave unfolded below

Key Points

• Britain hotter than Jamaica on warmest day the year, with mercury reaching 34C

• Spain is so hot a heap of manure self-combusted, triggering a massive wildfire

• France records hottest temperature in history as ‘red alert’ declared for first time

[29 June 2019 02:10 · Kristin Hugo]

The beach is absolutely packed in Bournemouth...

Some 75,000 revellers are expected throughout the day. Roads are gridlocked and there are huge queues for ice cream stands and inflatable toys.

[29 June 2019 02:35 · Kristin Hugo]

  ↵If you come across a dog that’s been left alone in a car on a hot day, the RSPCA recommends taking action if you suspect that its health could be in danger.

[29 June 2019 02:59 · Kristin Hugo]

If you come across a dog that’s been left alone in a car on a hot day, the RSPCA recommends taking action if you suspect that its health could be in danger.

[29 June 2019 09:40 · Kristin Hugo]

Good morning on this beautiful Saturday and welcome to our rolling coverage of the heatwave that’s sweeping across Europe.

[29 June 2019 09:41 · Kristin Hugo]

Today is set to be the hottest day of 2019 so far in the UK as temperatures will climb to 35C in London.

Temperatures will hit 40C again in parts of Europe.

[29 June 2019 09:51 · Kristin Hugo]

The Met Office says it will be very hot and sunny across southeastern, central and southern England.

The highest temperatures are expected in the afternoon.

[29 June 2019 10:37 · Kristin Hugo]

Here’s what forecasters were saying yesterday:

[29 June 2019 10:49 · Kristin Hugo]

If you’re in Yorkshire, where temperatures are expected to reach 30C later today, and were considering a dip in the reservoirs to cool off – don’t do it!

Yorkshire Water are warning temperatures in the water are as low as 12C a dip could lead to thermal shock and fatal consequences.

“Just a short swim can result in a tragic loss of life and we want to once again ask people to stay out of our reservoirs,” says Alastair Harvey, Yorkshire Water’s Recreation Advisor.

“People sometimes do not understand how dangerous they can be.”

The company has issued a statement on its website.

[29 June 2019 11:01 · Kristin Hugo]

Travellers, plan ahead: the soaring temperatures could bring disruption to the rail and road network.

RAC patrol of the year Ben Aldous warned that the forecast conditions could be “a recipe for a soaring number of breakdowns in certain parts of the country”.

“It’s a sad reality that some drivers will likely encounter an unwelcome and unscheduled stop at the side of the road,” he said. “They will have to hope they can find some safe shelter from the sun, but it could still mean they suffer some day trip distress.”

Network Rail warns that the hot weather could push track temperatures above 50C and slow operations or cause breakdowns – especially on tourist routes.

According to Network Rail, steel rails absorb heat easily and tend to hover about 20C above the surrounding air temperature. In very hot conditions rails can flex, bend or even buckle, so trains have to run at slower speeds. 

[29 June 2019 11:23 · Kristin Hugo]

Councils have been urged to use emergency powers to protect rough sleepers in the hot weather.

Heather Wheeler, the minister for housing and homelessness, has written to local authorities encouraging them to trigger their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to “ease the pressure on vulnerable people”.

“No one should be forced to sleep on the streets – especially during a period of extreme weather,” said Ms Wheeler. 

Rough sleepers may find it difficult to find drinking water and sun protection and will be at an increased risk of dehydration, sunburn and sunstroke. Their needs likely to be most urgent in daylight hours.

Forms of support could include free water and sunscreen, the provision of cool daytime spaces and links to healthcare. Members of the public concerned about the welfare of a rough sleeper can use the streetlink.org.uk website or app to alert local authorities.