Schools Close, Travel Disrupted as UK on Extreme Heat Alert with Temperatures Nearing 40C

More than 500 schools across Wales have been closed or partially shut as authorities respond to what Welsh ministers have described as a “heat emergency”, with the United Kingdom bracing for some of the highest temperatures ever recorded.

A red weather warning for extreme heat is in force across parts of England and Wales from 9am on Wednesday until 9pm on Thursday, with forecasters warning temperatures could reach 37C in Wales and approach 40C in parts of the UK. The Met Office said the heatwave could challenge the UK’s all-time temperature record of 40.3C, set in Lincolnshire in July 2022, while also surpassing the current June record of 35.6C recorded in Hampshire in 1976.

The warning covers a large area stretching from London to Swansea and from Somerset to Birmingham. A separate amber warning remains in place across the whole of Wales.

The extreme conditions have already forced widespread school closures. In Wales, schools have closed or partially closed across several local authority areas, including all schools in Blaenau Gwent and most in Caerphilly and Bridgend. Closures have also been confirmed in Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The disruption extends beyond Wales. Nearly 100 schools in Somerset are fully closed for Wednesday and Thursday, while around 100 schools in Buckinghamshire and 86 schools in Gloucestershire are either closed or partially closed. Several schools across West Sussex, Wiltshire, London and Hampshire have also altered schedules, closed early or moved learning online. Some schools have relaxed uniform rules, allowing pupils to wear PE kits instead of traditional blazers and long trousers.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Drive on Tuesday, Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health Nerys Evans described the situation as a “heat emergency”.

“This is a heat emergency that we’ve got over the next couple of days, and we will see extra demand on our health service,” Evans told BBC Radio Wales Drive. She urged people to stay hydrated, remain out of direct sunlight and check on vulnerable individuals, particularly those unable to regulate their body temperature effectively.

Chief Medical Officer for Wales Isabel Oliver also warned of the impact on health services. Speaking on Radio Wales Breakfast, she said periods of extreme heat can place “significant pressure on the NHS”.

“But the health effects of heat are largely predictable and preventable so it is really important that we are all aware of what we need to do to keep safe and in good health,” Oliver told the programme.

She advised people attending outdoor events and concerts to be alert to symptoms of heat exhaustion, including tiredness, dizziness, headaches and nausea. Oliver said those affected should move to a cool place, remove unnecessary clothing, drink water and cool their skin with a damp cloth. She also cautioned that alcohol and sugary drinks can worsen dehydration and intensify symptoms associated with heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Public Health Wales has urged residents to check on family, friends and neighbours, warning that many homes and daily routines are not designed for prolonged periods of high temperatures. Older people, babies, young children and those with underlying health conditions are considered most at risk, alongside outdoor workers and people living in top-floor flats.

The heatwave is also disrupting transport networks. Rail operators have advised passengers to travel only if necessary, warning that extreme temperatures can cause tracks to expand and buckle. Several train operators, including Greater Anglia, Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Railway and Chiltern Railways, have announced reduced services or warned of possible delays. Eurostar has also cancelled several London-Paris services because of the forecast conditions.

Climate experts say the latest heatwave is part of a broader warming trend. Wales has experienced a succession of temperature records in recent years, including its warmest May day and hottest summer on record. Scientists warn that hotter, more frequent and more intense heatwaves are likely to become increasingly common in the decades ahead.

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