Friday saw a fresh temperature record for June, with Wattisham in Suffolk reaching 36.9C (98.4F) by midday. This figure surpassed the previous high of 36.7C (98F) recorded just one day prior in Merryfield, Somerset.
The Met Office maintains a red warning for extreme heat in parts of south-east and central southern England, including Oxfordshire, through 21:00. In these areas, thermometers could climb to between 35C and 38C. A broader amber warning is also active across the Midlands and East Anglia, where temperatures are expected to remain in the low 30s.
Thursday was marked by historic heat across the UK, as England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all experienced their highest temperatures of the year. Cardiff reached 36.6C, setting a new June record for Wales.
While the atmosphere remains hot and humid, cooler conditions are beginning to arrive from the west. However, the Met Office has issued warnings for thunderstorms, which may bring intense rainfall, lightning, and gusty winds. By Sunday, temperatures are expected to stabilize closer to seasonal averages as Atlantic air moves in.