Image copyright Reuters Image caption People are trying to cool off in any way they can

The UK is basking in its hottest June day in 41 years, with a temperature of 34.5C (94F) recorded at Heathrow.

The Met Office reading at the London airport is the highest in June since the mercury hit 35.6 (96F) in 1976 - the all-time high since records began.

The heatwave has seen five sizzling days in a row during which temperatures in parts of the UK have topped 30C.

But weather warnings have also been issued for rain, with thunderstorms expected in some areas.

BBC weather presenter Chris Fawkes said: "To have these really prolonged spells, you need a block of high pressure that directs other weather fronts away.

Then we get the hot weather coming up from Europe."

Storms are forecast for some areas later in the day, and yellow weather warnings for rain in parts of England, Wales and Scotland are in place until the early hours of Thursday.

Our presenter added: "It is all going to go bang tonight.

"The hot air from the surface will meet with colder air coming in from the Atlantic and we will have some big thunderstorms, gusty winds, heavy rain and, in some places, even hail.

In pictures: How Britain is keeping cool

Glastonbury crowds suffer on hottest day

Summer of 1976

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption A man sunbathing in Kensington Gardens in the summer of 1976

The record-breaking summer of 1976 saw nine weeks of blazing sunshine.

Between June and August, blue skies were a daily occurrence and, for two weeks, temperatures were 32C or above consistently.

Five days saw temperatures exceed 35C.

The hottest day of all was 3 July, with temperatures hitting 35.9C in Cheltenham.

A downside was the worst drought in recorded history for the UK, building up from a warm summer in 1975 and incredibly dry months after.

Rainfall in the winter of 1975 was half of what it normally would be, and by the summer of 1976 crops were affected and there were forest fires in the south of England.

But once the summer had come to a close, autumn saw intense rainfall and natural balance was restored.

The crowd heading to Royal Ascot were hoping for a similar relaxation of dress code to the one race-goers experienced on Tuesday.

Normally men attending the horse racing event in the Royal Enclosure must wear black or grey morning dress with a waistcoat, tie and a top hat.

But the jacket rule was not enforced for the first time in its history, as organisers took a "common sense approach".

Image copyright EPA Image caption Some racegoers were keeping it glitzy at Ascot; others cool and shady.

Whilst some are taking to the parks or the beach to lap up the sunshine, people on the daily commute have been faced with travel disruption.

Greater Anglia Trains has cancelled a number of its services between London and Essex, saying the heat has led to speed restrictions on the lines to stop them from buckling.

For those in more congested areas, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs has also warned there may be pockets of high pollution during the exceptionally hot weather, especially in the East Midlands.

Image copyright EPA Image caption It was hot and dusty work for the revellers arriving at Glastonbury

Emergency services have warned people to keep safe in open water after three people died in separate incidents around the country.

A 15-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty when swimming in a lake with friends in Walsall, West Midlands.

This follows the deaths of a teenager who drowned in a reservoir near Rochdale and an elderly woman who rescue teams tried to save off the coast of Sussex.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Although it is very hot at the moment, the dangers of going into open water cannot be underestimated."

Tips for coping in hot weather

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption BBC colleagues from hot countries give their tips for staying cool

Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. You can open the windows for ventilation when it is cooler.

Stay out of the sun and don't go out between 11:00 and 15:00 (the hottest part of the day) if you're vulnerable to the effects of heat.

Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.

Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and diluted fruit juice. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine (tea, coffee and cola) or drinks high in sugar.

Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat and sunglasses if you go outdoors.

Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.

SOURCE: NHS

How have you been experiencing the recent hot weather in the UK? Send us your pictures to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

You can also contact us in the following ways:</s>Wednesday (July 22 ) was the hottest day in June since 1976, the Met Office has said.

Temperatures reached an astonishing 34C at Heathrow, making it not only the hottest day of the year so far, but the hottest day in more than 40 years.

The temperature peaked at around 4pm, with the Met Office recording Heathrow hitting a sweltering 34.5C.

And after six long, hot, sticky days of 30C+ temperatures , rain is finally on the way - and it looks set to hit Surrey and the south east hard on Thursday morning.

The Met Office on Wednesday issued a yellow warning of rain for Surrey and south east England - and it could also hail a few thunderstorms too.

After this week's scorching conditions, Wednesday (June 21) is expected to be the last day of what has been the longest June hot spell since 1976.

Indeed, shortly after 3pm, the Met Office confirmed temperatures had reached 33.9C at Heathrow - the hottest June day since 1976.

The warning is in place between 6am and 1pm on Thursday (June 22) as a band of heavy, thundery showers moves across parts of the south east after tracking down the country.

The Met Office said not everywhere will see these showers, but where they do occur, there is also the potential for heavy downpours as well as a bit of thunder and lightning.

Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: “The high pressure that has dominated our weather of late is starting to move away, allowing fresher air in from the west."

Mr Willington continued: "A cold front that will pass through the UK will mark an end to the hot spell of weather in the south and bring cloudier skies and lower temperatures.

"There is a pulse of thundery showers moving eastwards which will bring some intense downpours for some.”

Keep up to date with the latest news from around the county via the free Get Surrey app.

You can set up your app to see all the latest news and events from your area, plus receive push notifications for breaking news.

Available to download from the App Store or Google Play for Android .</s>PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The heat doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere, especially not this weekend.

The low of the weekend will be Friday when temperatures hit 92 degrees, which is only 5 degrees lower than the 1992 record of 97 degrees.

Saturday and Sunday are both great days to head to the pool because temperatures will hit 98 and 100 degrees, respectively.

The expected scorching temperatures on Sunday pushed back the Portland Timbers’ 12:30 p.m. game to 7:30 p.m. since the direct sun with impact both the turf and players.

For some, the hot weather is a great break from the recent rain. However, this summer heat combined with dry landscapes increases the risk of wildfires.

Tom Fields, Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Prevention coordinator, said, “While we’ve been blessed with cool conditions thus far, fire activity is beginning to pick up as we head into the first weekend of summer.”

More than 125 fires have burned 170 acres of forest and grasslands under ODF’s protection in 2017. Fire officials remind Oregonians to be aware of fire danger when working or enjoying the outdoors.

Oregon isn’t the only state dealing with sweltering temperatures .

Authorities in California said 2 elderly people died Monday because of the heat wave. One of the two was homeless and lived in a car.

Phoenix, Arizona hit a high of 119 degrees on Tuesday, a mark that’s only been matched or surpassed 4 other times in the city’s recorded history. The heat forced more than 40 flights to cancel their trips.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.</s>Hot today? You’re definitely not alone. In fact, this could be the hottest day in more than 40 years.

Highs of 34°C are forecast in west London on Wednesday, making it the hottest day since June 28, 1976 – when 35.6C was recorded in Southampton.

And it’s also set to be the hottest summer solstice on record, when it surpasses the 31.7°C recorded at Camden Square in north London in 1936.

It is also going to be the fifth consecutive day that temperatures have been higher than 30°C. The last time this happened was more than 20 years ago, from June 26 to June 30, 1995.

A level-three amber warning, just one behind a ‘national emergency’, has been in place over the sweltering temperatures.

And a yellow weather warning for heavy rain from 3am on Wednesday to 6am on Thursday was issued by the Met Office for south-west Scotland, England and Wales.

Bouts of rain, heavy and thundery at times, are expected to move in from the west to initially affect parts of northern England, with a potential 20mm or 30mm of rain falling in one or two hours.

More extensive thunderstorms may then spread South over a larger part of England and Wales from late Wednesday afternoon into the night, leading to torrential downpours, frequent lightning and a chance of hail.

But although a lot of England is covered by the warning, the Met Office said it was likely many parts would see dry and sunny weather for most of the day on Wednesday.

Monday was the UK’s hottest day of the year, with 32.5°C recorded at Hampton Water Works in Greater London.

Many places in the south of the country saw the mercury hitting at least 30°C on Tuesday, with highs of 31.4°C recorded at Heathrow Airport and Wisley, Surrey, at around 3pm.

The NHS has urged the elderly, children, and people with medical conditions to keep cool and hydrated during the scorching heatwave.

Those at risk should keep in the shade during the hottest part of the day, between 11am and 3pm.

Police and Fire services have also been tweeting advice on how to enjoy the sun safely, as Brits get out the barbecue and swim outdoors to cool off.</s>Britain may bask in the hottest June day for 40 years as the heatwave is set to grip the country for a fifth day.

Highs of 34C (93F) are forecast in west London on Wednesday, which would make it the hottest June day since the 35.6C (96F) recorded in Southampton on June 28 1976.

If the mercury surpasses the 31.7C (89F) recorded at Camden Square, north London, in 1936, it will be the hottest summer solstice on record.

It would also make it the fifth consecutive day that temperatures have topped 30C (86F) in the UK, the Met Office said.

The last time the country saw a similar run of hot June weather was more than 20 years ago, from June 26 to June 30 1995.

It was on June 30 of that year that the highest temperature since 1976, 33.8C (92.8F) in Worcester, was recorded.

While the mercury is set to edge higher than that, it is unlikely to beat the 1970's scorcher, the hottest June day since records began.

A level three amber warning, one behind a national emergency, has been in place regarding England's sweltering temperatures.

A yellow weather warning for heavy rain spanning from 3am on Wednesday until 6am on Thursday has also been issued for south-west Scotland, England and Wales.

Bouts of rain, heavy and thundery at times, are expected to move in from the west to initially affect parts of northern England, with potentially 20mm or 30mm of rain falling in one or two hours.

More extensive thunderstorms may then spread South over a larger part of England and Wales from late Wednesday afternoon into the night, leading to torrential downpours, frequent lightning and a chance of hail.

Some houses, businesses and transport routes may be affected by localised flooding, while power supplies in some areas could be temporarily disrupted due to a combination of heavy rain and frequent lightning strikes.

While much of England is covered by the warning, the Met Office said it was likely that many parts would see dry and sunny weather through much of the daytime on Wednesday.

Monday saw the UK's hottest day of the year, with 32.5C (91F) recorded at Hampton Water Works in Greater London.

Many places across the South saw the mercury hitting at least 30C (88.5F) on Tuesday, with highs of 3 1.4C (88.5F), recorded at both Heathrow Airport and Wisley, Surrey, at around 3pm.

In Guildford, Surrey Police said spilt oil had melted into a tarmac road due to the scorching conditions.

A teenage boy drowned in a reservoir at Greenbooth Reservoir, a moorland beauty spot outside Rochdale, Greater Manchester, after reportedly getting into difficulties while swimming in the hot weather.

A woman in her 80s also died after being pulled from the sea at East Wittering beach in West Sussex on Monday afternoon, Sussex Police said.

At Royal Ascot in Berkshire race organisers said they were considering relaxing the strict dress code for the first time.

Music fans arriving at Glastonbury festival on Wednesday will face a sweaty walk to pitch their tents with highs of 30C (86F) expected.

The NHS has urged the elderly, children and those with medical conditions to keep cool and hydrated during the heatwave.

Those at risk are warned to keep in the shade during the hottest part of the day between 11am and 3pm.

Police and Fire services have also been tweeting advice on how to enjoy the sun safely, as Brits get out the barbecue and swim outdoors to cool off.</s>KINGMAN – The record-setting heat wave will continue throughout this week as the National Weather Service has extended its extreme heat warning through Sunday evening.

NWS models have consistently been trending hotter with the weekend temperatures.

Temperatures are expected to hit 108 degrees in Kingman today and 107 Friday, after setting records on Monday and Tuesday.

The official high was 111 degrees on Monday, breaking the old record of 108 set last year. Tuesday reached 113 degrees, again topping last year’s record of 111.

“This heat wave is indeed record-breaking, at least as far as high temperatures go, and its duration is of note thus far as well,” said Caleb Steele, meteorologist for the NWS in Las Vegas. “So this is not your typical summer heat wave.”

High temperatures will range from 112 to 122 along the Colorado River Valley for the next few days. Overnight lows are going to be in the upper-80s to mid-90s.

This prolonged heatwave could be life-threatening to those who do not take proper precautions. Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the Mohave Desert.
• Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and apply sunscreen when going outside for prolonged periods.

Those who do not take necessary precautions could suffer from dehydration, hyperthermia and heat cramps. The homeless, elderly and children with health issues are most at risk of succumbing to these high temperatures, along with visitors not accustomed to the desert heat.

“We have been pushing that this will be life-threatening to those who do not take proper precautions, and so far, the temperatures have worked out that way,” Steele said. “We still have the hot temperatures and warnings continuing through the end of the week, so don’t let your guard down yet, even if we aren’t smashing records by the end of the week.

“About all we can do is hope for a cooler and wet autumn.”</s>Britain is one step from a 'national emergency' as a today could be the hottest June day in 40 years.

Experts think we could top the 35.6C mark that has stood since 1976.

Temperatures had already reached 20 degrees before 7am in the South West, and at Royal Ascot in Berkshire race organisers said they were considering relaxing the strict dress code for the first time.

Music fans arriving at Glastonbury festival on Wednesday will face a sweaty walk to pitch their tents.

Parts of southern Britain will notch 30C-plus for the fifth successive day – but it will be cooler further north, with the threat of thundery showers.

A level three amber warning, one behind a national emergency, has been in place regarding England's sweltering temperatures.

It is the first prolonged run of such blistering days since 1995.

Spokesman Grahame Madge said: “It is likely we’ll have five days in a row with a station somewhere recording 30C or more, from Saturday until tomrrow. Last time we had five days in a row in June above 30C was June 26 to 30, 1995.”

Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze added: “Forecast models show 35C on Wednesday in the South – meaning Wednesday has the potential to be the hottest June day on record.”

But there were warnings the heat and rising pollution could create a toxic smog – and it emerged two people drowned on Monday while trying to cool off.

Monday was the hottest day of the year so far, with 32.5C recorded. Paul Lawson, 16, died while swimming at Greenbooth Reservoir in Rochdale, Gtr Manchester.

And a woman in her 80s died after being pulled from the sea at East Wittering, West Sussex.

The NHS has urged the elderly, children and those with medical conditions to keep cool and hydrated. Asthmatics were urged to take extra care.

A DEFRA spokesman added: “Areas of moderate pollution are likely on Wednesday.”

Meanwhile, surfaces melted yesterday as road temperatures hit 40C and trains were axed as rails buckled.

Cool weather will start moving down from the north tonight, bringing thunderstorms – but temperatures should stay high until September.

Many places across the South saw the mercury hitting at least 30C on Tuesday, with highs of 31.4C, recorded at both Heathrow Airport and Wisley, Surrey, at around 3pm.

In Guildford, Surrey Police said spilt oil had melted into a tarmac road due to the scorching conditions.

A teenage boy drowned in a reservoir at Greenbooth Reservoir, a moorland beauty spot outside Rochdale, Greater Manchester, after reportedly getting into difficulties while swimming in the hot weather.

A woman in her 80s also died after being pulled from the sea at East Wittering beach in West Sussex on Monday afternoon, Sussex Police said.

The NHS has urged the elderly, children and those with medical conditions to keep cool and hydrated during the heatwave.

Those at risk are warned to keep in the shade during the hottest part of the day between 11am and 3pm. 

 barbecue and swim outdoors to cool off.
The United Kingdom experiences its first early summer heat wave in over 20 years, and the highest recorded June temperatures in over 40 years with a reading of 34.5C (94F) recorded at Heathrow Airport.