A pair of emus were observed cooling off in the water at Hertfordshire Zoo, providing a novel sight for visitors during an intense heatwave gripping the United Kingdom. The giant birds took a refreshing dip as temperatures climbed well above seasonal averages.
Record Temperatures Grip the UK
Wednesday was officially confirmed as Britain's hottest June day on record, with temperatures reaching a high of 35.8C (96.4F). This surpassed the previous June record of 35.6C (96.1F) set during the 1976 heatwave. The new record was briefly held before temperatures climbed higher in Wiggonholt, West Sussex, reaching 35.8C.
Forecasters had anticipated the breaking of the June record, attributing the extreme conditions to a powerful 'heat dome' system affecting Britain and much of Europe. The Met Office issued a rare red warning for extreme heat across parts of England and Wales, effective from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening. This warning signifies a high risk to health, transport networks, and infrastructure.
The Met Office indicated that the red warning area faces a potential two to three-day period where maximum temperatures in the shade could exceed 37C (98.6F), with some locations possibly reaching 38C to 40C (100.4F to 104F). The current heatwave has also been accompanied by high humidity, a factor noted as distinguishing it from previous high-temperature events, such as the one in July 2022.