TODAY is provisionally the hottest start to Wimbledon ever – with a 29.7C high recorded in nearby Kew Gardens.
Highs of 34C are expected in London later today, with Met Office forecasters saying a “tropical night” is ahead.
AlamyThousands of ticket-less tennis fans have queued in the scorching weather[/caption]
met officeIt is set to be the warmest start to Wimbledon on record[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialFans have queued for tickets to the Wimbledon Championships[/caption]
Wimbledon fans were spotted shielding themselves from the sun as they queued up for tickets on the opening day of the hotly-anticipated tennis Championships.
Strawberries and cream will be in high demand at the annual sporting event as sell-out crowds look to keep cool in the glorious weather.
It is set for its hottest opening day ever, with temperatures expected to surpass the previous record of 29.3C set in 2001.
The hottest day the tournament has seen was in 2015 when temperatures reached 35.7C.
The Met Office says some parts of the UK could reach 34C this afternoon, with temperatures set to stay above 20C in some locations during a “tropical night”.
Scorching weather will continue into tomorrow, with highs of 35C predicted.
Writing on social media, the forecaster said: “Temperatures have risen to 29.7C at Kew Gardens, so it is provisionally the warmest start to Wimbledon on record.
“While it won’t be hot everywhere, with temperatures suppressed to the mid to high teens in northern parts of the UK, heat will build in the south.
“Tonight temperatures will remain high, with some locations not dropping below 20°C in what is called a tropical night.
“Tuesday will be another hot day, though the highest temperatures will be more confined to the south east of England where 35°C is possible.”
It comes as hundreds of thousands of Glastonbury revellers have started returning home to make the most of the sunshine.
Britain is expected to be hotter than holiday hotspots like Ibiza, where highs of 29C are forecast.
Thousands of Brits have flocked to beaches and outdoor pools today to soak up the summer rays.
Charlwood in Surrey recorded the hottest temperature of the year so far at 33.2C on June 21.
Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: “Temperatures climbing quickly through the day today – but it’s not dry everywhere, we do have low pressure across the northwest of the UK, introducing some cloud and heavy rain across Northern Ireland and Scotland as we move through the day.
“But it is a hot picture as we move across England and Wales, particularly towards the southeast where temperatures could be around 34C or maybe even 35C.”
He went on to say temperatures will certainly be “higher than the weekend” and the “mid to high 20s for many of us and then the low 30s across central and eastern parts of England“, the hottest towards London.
Mr Dewhurst added: “The heat of the day could spark one or two heavy showers across eastern England as we move through the afternoon into the evening.”
He said those leaving Glastonbury after the annual music festival drew to an end last night could be doing so in highs of 29C.
The heat could cause issues for commuters, with Network Rail, Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express advising passengers to check before they travel today and tomorrow.
Sections of the Brighton Main Line in particular could see delays due to speed restrictions being in place.
This is due to the on track temperatures likely to hit 50C.
ReutersFans have been using umbrellas and tents to shield themselves from the sun[/caption]
AlamyOne tennis fans stripped off as he queued in the scorching weather in Wimbledon Park[/caption]
PARevellers enjoy the hot weather at Peterborough Lido in Cambridgeshire[/caption]
A spokesperson for Network Rail and the train operators said: “With temperatures set to soar as forecast by the Met Office, speed restrictions have to be imposed across large parts of the network to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We’re sorry but this means we won’t be able to run as many trains as normal and journeys will take longer.
“Trains that are running will also be much busier. If you are able to work from home then that may be your best option.
“If you do take the train, then please remember to take a bottle of water and if you begin to feel unwell, seek help at the next station and speak to station staff.
“Pulling emergency alarms onboard may delay us getting help to you.”
Scorching temperatures
Since 1960, UK temperatures in June have surpassed 34C in only three years, with the hottest being 35.6C, recorded on June 28 1976.
A heatwave in the UK is met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days, with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature thresholds.
Across the north and west of the UK this is 25C, and across Greater London and the Home Counties, 28C.
A second amber heat health alert in two weeks came into force on Friday.
The alert, which covers London, the East Midlands, the South East, the South West and the East of England, will last until 6pm on Tuesday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued a yellow alert for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands for the same time period, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services.
An amber alert was previously issued for all regions in England on June 19, the first time it had been used since September 2023.
London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Thomas Goodall said: “London is already facing its second heatwave of the year and we know that people will be looking forward to getting outside to enjoy the wonderful weather.
“But the high temperatures and low rainfall in recent months means the current risk of wildfires is severe.
“So far this year, firefighters have responded to around 14 wildfires in the capital.
“There have also been countless callouts to smaller fires involving grass, trees and in other outdoor spaces, as well as in people’s gardens.
“During this latest heatwave, it is important everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring.
“As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly.
“In London, this is can be dangerous because so many of our green spaces lie close to homes and other properties.”
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Sunny and hot with light winds for England and Wales with isolated heavy showers possible in the afternoon, particularly in northern and eastern England. Cooler and fresher in the northwest with a band of locally heavy rain gradually moving east.
Tonight:
Rain clearing Scotland, but cloud extending across northern England and Wales, bringing a little drizzle at times. Drier and clearer elsewhere. Very warm and muggy in the south and southeast.
Tuesday:
Hot and muggy in the southeast with the odd heavy shower possible. Bright and fresh in the northwest. Elsewhere, rather cloudy with patchy light rain or drizzle over the hills.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Fresher for all, with cloudier skies bringing spells of rain, these sometimes heavy on Wednesday and Friday, but some drier, brighter intervals as well. Temperatures near or slightly above average.
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