UK sees hottest day of 2025 as temperature tops 33C

The United Kingdom is experiencing a significant heatwave, with temperatures reaching record highs for the year. On Tuesday, the temperature soared to 33. 6 degrees Celsius in Frittenden, Kent, making it the hottest day of 2025 so far. Meteorologists believe that the heat could climb even higher, possibly reaching 34 or 35 degrees in southern England. This follows an exceptionally warm June, which was the hottest on record for England and the second warmest for the entire UK since records began in 1884. Just ten days ago, Surrey recorded a high of 33. 2 degrees, but that has now been surpassed by Kent. The Midlands are also experiencing above-average temperatures, while other parts of the UK remain much cooler and cloudier.

The heatwave is not limited to the UK. Many European countries, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and the Balkans, have also been dealing with extreme heat in recent days. In response to the high temperatures, the UK Health Security Agency has extended amber heat health alerts for much of England until Wednesday morning. The affected areas include Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, and both southern England regions. These warnings suggest that public services such as hospitals and transportation could face significant challenges. The London Ambulance Service has advised people to take extra care, as it is easy to become overheated, which can lead to heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. The NHS recommends wearing hats, applying suncream, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, from 11 am to 3 pm.

Other parts of England have also seen high temperatures, with East Malling in Kent reaching 33. 5 degrees and Wisley in Surrey hitting 32. 2 degrees. So far, there has been little disruption caused by the heat, but in the Scottish Highlands and Moray, firefighters have been battling wildfires after several dry days, followed by heavy rain overnight. Smoke from these fires has traveled up to 40 miles across the Moray Firth, and residents in Orkney have reported smelling it. On Monday, London Heathrow recorded a temperature of 33. 1 degrees. The Met Office reported that the average temperature across England in June was 16. 9 degrees, while the UK as a whole saw an average of 15. 2 degrees. The previous record for the warmest June in England was set just last year, in 2023, with a mean temperature of 16. 7 degrees.

While some parts of the UK are experiencing cooler weather, the heatwave continues in south-east England. The highest forecasted temperature is 34 degrees in the south-east, while the lowest, 17 degrees, is expected in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Many areas had a very warm night, with temperatures staying in the mid to high teens. In some places, such as East Anglia and south-east England, the temperature did not drop below 20 degrees, resulting in what is known as a 'tropical night. ' By Wednesday, the heatwave is expected to end, with temperatures in the south-east dropping to the mid-20s, which is more typical for early July. Some heavy showers are expected in the far south-east, north-east England, and eastern Scotland. The Wimbledon tennis tournament, which began with record-breaking heat, will welcome the cooler weather, as players were seen using ice bags to keep cool. This is the second heatwave in the UK this year. An official heatwave is declared when temperatures reach a certain threshold for three consecutive days, with the exact temperature varying by region. The current heatwave is caused by a large area of high pressure over Europe, sometimes called a 'heat dome. ' Scientists warn that climate change is making such heatwaves more frequent and intense.