New red heat warning in place but cooler weather on the way

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. New red heat warning in place but cooler weather on the wayImage source, EPAByElizabeth RizziniLead Weather PresenterPublished9 minutes agoTemperatures are building quickly again on Friday for parts of the UK after another record-breaking day on Thursday. Many parts of southern England and Wales endured overnight temperatures which widely remained in excess of 20C. A Met Office red warning for extreme heat is in place for parts of south-east and central southern England up to Oxfordshire until 9pm, where temperatures could reach 35-37C (95F to 98.

However, Friday will bring respite for some as cooler weather starts to move in from the west although warnings for thunderstorms have been also been issued. Image source, WeatherImage caption, A Met Office red extreme heat warning is in place for some on FridayNational records fell again yesterdayThursday was another record-breaking day across the UK with all four nations seeing their highest temperatures of the year so far. In England Merryfield in Somerset reached 36.

The Details

This sets a new UK record for the highest June temperature, surpassing the 36. 1C set in Gosport, Hampshire, on Wednesday. Wales also set a new June record with by reaching 36.

Scotland and Northern Ireland both recorded their highest temperatures of the year so far with 31. 2C in Threave and 30C at Castlederg. A June record for minimum temperatures was highly anticipated overnight from Thursday to Friday but despite a 'tropical night' being experienced widely, the 22.

7C recorded in Herstmonceux, East Sussex was not enough to beat Wednesday nights temperature of 23. What is a tropical night? A tropical night is defined as when the temperature does not drop below 20C during a 24 hour period between 09:00 and 09:00.

What Experts Say

In 2025 there were five tropical nights and this has already been equalled this year. The record set in Cardiff on Wednesday exceeded the previous record of 22. Just a few weeks ago a new May highest minimum record was set in Camborne in Cornwall when temperature on May 27th did not drop below 21.

Tropical nights aren't that unusual in the summer months, but they are fairly rare in May and June. It means that early morning temperatures start off higher and so can soar very quickly. Image caption, The city of Cardiff saw the highest minimum temperature on Wednesday night into Thursday with a minimum temperature of 23.

5CWhen will the heatwave end? On Friday the worst of the heat and the humidity is likely to move further eastwards and it will feel a little cooler further west. Within the red warning area temperatures could peak for some at 37 or 38C.

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