Britain experienced its hottest June day on record for three consecutive days this week, with temperatures reaching a provisional 37.3C (99.1F) on Friday. The extreme heat, described by scientists as virtually impossible 50 years ago without human-driven climate change, has now been followed by severe thunderstorms, leading to significant disruptions.
Over 800 flights at London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports faced delays of up to 11 hours on Saturday, with dozens also cancelled due to the stormy weather. Air traffic control has warned that delays are expected to continue throughout the day. At Gatwick, approximately 400 flights were affected, and a similar number at Heathrow. Some passengers experienced lengthy delays, with one flight's arrival time pushed from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Storms and Fires
The thunderstorms brought heavy rain and lightning strikes across the country, particularly in the southeast and parts of Wales. Lightning was blamed for igniting fires in several homes, including two properties in East Sussex. The London Ambulance Service reported its busiest day ever on Friday, handling 8,869 calls, including 688 life-threatening incidents.
An amber warning for extreme heat remained in place for parts of England until Sunday morning, though temperatures were forecast to drop. Maximum temperatures in London were expected to reach 33C (91.4F). As the weather transitions, showers are anticipated across western parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland on Saturday, spreading south on Sunday, though these are expected to be light.
Heatwave Toll
The record-breaking heatwave has been linked to a series of tragic incidents. The body of 22-year-old Brody Leach was recovered from the River Severn in Shrewsbury on Saturday, one of several swimming-related deaths during the period of intense heat. A 69-year-old man died after getting into difficulty in the water at Clacton-on-Sea on Friday, and a man's body was pulled from Weymouth harbour on Thursday. A search for a 15-year-old boy who went missing while swimming in Testwood Lakes near Totton concluded with the recovery of his body on Saturday. On Thursday, 13-year-old Hayden Jones-Powell was found dead in a lake in Syston, Leicestershire. A 50-year-old man also died after encountering trouble in the water at Aberavon Beach in south Wales on Wednesday.
Societal Impact
The extreme conditions forced the closure of numerous schools and nurseries. A hosepipe ban was implemented in Kent due to surging demand. Several hospitals declared critical incidents, with University Hospital Southampton cancelling planned operations and appointments. Train passengers were advised to avoid non-essential travel across much of England on Friday, as services in affected areas were severely impacted. Major tourist attractions, including Stonehenge, Tower Bridge, and Marwell Zoo, also closed their doors.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such heatwaves to human-driven climate change, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels, which contributes to the formation of 'heat-domes' that trap extreme heat over regions.