BRITAIN is in the grip of a searing heatwave with temperatures set to soar to a record-breaking and “unbearable” 40C today.
The mercury is expected to soar to an “unprecedented” 40C on “Furnace Thursday”, smashing the current record of 38.5C set in Kent in August 2003.
Brits have been warned to stay at home and avoid travelling as temperatures rise dramatically across the UK.
Those that did travel were sweltering on slow-moving, packed trains as speed restrictions to prevent buckled rails sparked delays and cancellations.
Temperatures have already reached a whopping 32C at Heathrow this morning.
According to the Met Office, there is a 60 per cent chance the mercury could rise above the current all-time UK temperature record today.
Temperatures had already reached a scorching 25C by the early morning.
Some forecast models show the high humidity levels could make the temperature feel like 44C today.
The hot weather is blasting in from an African plume of Saharan air, causing the record-breaking hot weather.
Public Health England has issued a warning advising vulnerable people, especially older people and young children, to stay hydrated and stay indoors to keep cool.
The scorching conditions may spark thunderstorms which could trigger travel delays, flash flooding, and power cuts, the Met Office said.
A yellow weather warning is in force for most of England, except the south west, and parts of Scotland from 3pm on Thursday until 4am on Friday.
Residents in Bristol have been left without water on the hottest day of the year, after a water main burst.
To combat the issue, people living in the east and north of Bristol have been given bottles of water to keep them cool as temperatures are set to soar to 40C.
Yesterday at Heathrow in London, the mercury rose to 32.4C, while at St James’s Park it reached 31.9C.
The sweltering conditions prompted Network Rail to impose train speed restrictions in areas where tracks were at risk of buckling.
Southeastern railway even urged commuters to avoid travelling, as services were expected to experience huge delays.
Extreme weather action teams (EWATs) were “activated” to keep passengers safe and trains running.
Now emergency services warned the public to take precautions during the extreme heat.
Temperatures reached 35.5C on the Central Line yesterday.
Commuters were snapped appearing rather worse for wear, on packed Tubes.
Officials have also highlighted the risks of cooling off in the sea, lakes and rivers.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the industry, advised passengers in London and the South East to change their travel plans today because of the expected heat.
WHY DOES HOT WEATHER CAUSE DISRUPTION TO RAIL TRAVEL?
According to Network Rail, rail tracks in direct sunshine can be as much as 20C hotter than the air temperature.
As the mercury rises, the steel rail absorbs heat and expands, causing it to curve, known as buckling.
The temperature change provokes pushes and pulls the track out of shape.
Sleepers and ballast are used in railway design to contain these forces and prevent buckling.
Buckled tracks need to be repaired before trains can run again, leading to disruption.
Overhead lines can also expand and sag in extreme heat, bringing a risk of passing trains pulling them down.
Met Office Meteorologist Matthew Box said it is more likely both the 36.7C July record and the all-time maximum of 38.5C will fall before the end of the week.
He said: “We now think there is an 80-per cent chance that the July record will be broken on Thursday with a 40-per cent chance the all-time record will fall.
“Models indicate a lot of warm air coming up from the Continent especially across eastern parts of the country.
“High pressure is over the Continent and this allowing energy from the sun to heat the region, this air is then going to come up and into the UK.
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“There is a chance that it will turn slightly fresher as we go into the weekend, however, eastern Britain could remain very warm.”
As temperatures soar across the country, emergency services warned the public to take precautions during the extreme heat and highlighted the risks of cooling off in the sea, lakes and rivers.
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News Photo UK weather forecast – Brits told ‘stay at home’ as UK braces for peak of sweltering heatwave with temperatures set to soar to 40C
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