Hundreds of schools across the United Kingdom are closing early or partially shutting down, while rail services have been reduced as the country prepares for an exceptional heatwave expected to bring record-breaking temperatures over the next two days.
According to the BBC, at least 300 schools have announced plans to close either fully or partially. One primary school in northwest London ended classes early after temperatures exceeded 30°C, citing concerns for the wellbeing of pupils and staff as conditions were expected to worsen later in the day.
The UK Met Office has issued its second-ever red extreme heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures forecast to reach 40°C in parts of central and southern England, including London and Birmingham. The weather agency also warned that overnight temperatures could remain above 20°C, creating so-called “tropical nights” in some areas of England and Wales.
Met Office Chief Scientist Stephen Belcher described the situation as alarming, saying climate change driven by human activity is making extreme heat events more frequent and intense. Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway warned that the heatwave could have serious health impacts on a wider section of the population, not just those traditionally considered vulnerable.
The severe weather has also disrupted transport services, with Network Rail urging people to travel only if necessary. Rail operators have advised passengers to postpone journeys, while high-speed operator Eurostar has cancelled several London-Paris services due to the extreme conditions. Education leaders meanwhile renewed calls for discussions on installing air conditioning in schools, arguing that many older buildings were not designed to cope with increasingly high summer temperatures.
