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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The NHS has urged the elderly, children, and people with medical conditions to keep cool and hydrated during the scorching heatwave. Indeed, shortly after 3pm, the Met Office confirmed temperatures had reached 33.9C at Heathrow - the hottest June day since 1976.
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.