This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49094575

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
UK heatwave: Temperatures 'set to break records' UK heatwave: Temperatures 'set to break records'
(32 minutes later)
Temperatures continue to soar around the UK as forecasters anticipate what could be the hottest day on record.Temperatures continue to soar around the UK as forecasters anticipate what could be the hottest day on record.
The Met Office says southern and eastern England could experience a record-breaking 39C (102.2F) on Thursday, beating the all-time high of 38.5C recorded in 2003. The Met Office said the highest temperature reached so far on Wednesday was 33.7C at Cavendish in Suffolk.
It said there was a 60% chance that the record would be broken. But it says southern and eastern England could see a record-breaking 39C (102.2F) on Thursday, beating the all-time high of 38.5C from 2003.
Meanwhile, a body has been found after three people went missing in different parts of the River Thames on Tuesday.Meanwhile, a body has been found after three people went missing in different parts of the River Thames on Tuesday.
Police believe it is a 23-year-old man who vanished while swimming with friends near Shadwell Basin in Wapping, east London.Police believe it is a 23-year-old man who vanished while swimming with friends near Shadwell Basin in Wapping, east London.
Forecasters say temperatures in some parts of the country could reach 36C (97F) later on Wednesday. Northern Ireland and western Scotland are expected to be the coolest areas with temperatures in the low 20s. The high temperatures have so far been concentrated in southern and eastern England. Writtle in Essex saw 33.5C, while the mercury rose to 32.4C at Heathrow and 31.9C at St James's Park, London.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms which are expected to affect most of England and southern Scotland from 16:00 on Thursday and last into the early hours of Friday morning. Northern Ireland and western Scotland have been the coolest areas with highs in the low 20s.
Forecasters say there was a 60% chance that the record for the highest temperature would be broken on Thursday.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms which are expected to affect most of England and southern Scotland from 16:00 BST on Thursday and last into the early hours of Friday morning.
Thunderstorms swept across much of the UK on Tuesday night, with 48,000 lightning strikes reported.Thunderstorms swept across much of the UK on Tuesday night, with 48,000 lightning strikes reported.
The NHS has tweeted advice for dealing with the unusually hot temperatures and said: "Try to avoid spending extended periods in the sun this week. Also, be aware that vulnerable people are at increased risk of health issues."The NHS has tweeted advice for dealing with the unusually hot temperatures and said: "Try to avoid spending extended periods in the sun this week. Also, be aware that vulnerable people are at increased risk of health issues."
The London Ambulance service added: "If catching a train or the Tube in this hot weather make sure you carry a bottle of water and step off the train at the next station if you feel unwell."The London Ambulance service added: "If catching a train or the Tube in this hot weather make sure you carry a bottle of water and step off the train at the next station if you feel unwell."
Councils have called on the public to check on family and friends, warning that the elderly and those with heart and respiratory problems were most at risk from the hot weather.Councils have called on the public to check on family and friends, warning that the elderly and those with heart and respiratory problems were most at risk from the hot weather.
Network Rail has said speed restrictions may need to be introduced on Thursday "at vulnerable locations" to "reduce the likelihood of buckling".Network Rail has said speed restrictions may need to be introduced on Thursday "at vulnerable locations" to "reduce the likelihood of buckling".
It advised passengers to check their trains before they travel.It advised passengers to check their trains before they travel.
Rail operator Southeastern has said it will run a "significantly reduced service" on Thursday due to the speed restrictions.Rail operator Southeastern has said it will run a "significantly reduced service" on Thursday due to the speed restrictions.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the industry, advised passengers in London and the South East to consider changing their travel plans on Thursday because of the expected heat.The Rail Delivery Group, which represents the industry, advised passengers in London and the South East to consider changing their travel plans on Thursday because of the expected heat.
Meanwhile, passengers on a Eurostar train travelling from Brussels to London were stranded in 38C on Wednesday morning, after their train broke down due to an overhead power supply problem.Meanwhile, passengers on a Eurostar train travelling from Brussels to London were stranded in 38C on Wednesday morning, after their train broke down due to an overhead power supply problem.
The train was evacuated and passengers were given bottles of water while they waited for another train to collect them.The train was evacuated and passengers were given bottles of water while they waited for another train to collect them.
Eurostar advised people not to travel on its Brussels route because the power issue was causing "significant delays", as well as some cancellations.Eurostar advised people not to travel on its Brussels route because the power issue was causing "significant delays", as well as some cancellations.
Belgium's record temperature was broken on Wednesday as temperatures soared in Western Europe. Belgium's record temperature was broken on Wednesday when 39.9C was recorded as temperatures soared in Western Europe.
The town of Kleine Brogel in Limburg province hit 38.9C (102F), beating the previous record set in 1947.The town of Kleine Brogel in Limburg province hit 38.9C (102F), beating the previous record set in 1947.
The French city of Bordeaux also hit its highest temperature since records began, registering 41.2C (106.1F).The French city of Bordeaux also hit its highest temperature since records began, registering 41.2C (106.1F).
Lightning 'like a gunshot'Lightning 'like a gunshot'
People in parts of England and Wales are inspecting damage to their property following the fierce thunderstorms on Tuesday night.People in parts of England and Wales are inspecting damage to their property following the fierce thunderstorms on Tuesday night.
One house in north Wales caught fire after being hit by lightning.One house in north Wales caught fire after being hit by lightning.
Megan Zahra, from Wrexham, said a lightning strike sounded "like a gunshot" when it set her bedroom roof on fire.Megan Zahra, from Wrexham, said a lightning strike sounded "like a gunshot" when it set her bedroom roof on fire.
She woke up but thought it was a noise from outside and did not know the roof was on fire until her stepfather arrived to get her out.She woke up but thought it was a noise from outside and did not know the roof was on fire until her stepfather arrived to get her out.
Ms Zahra, 23, told BBC Wales: "I heard this big... it was like a gunshot or an explosion. I thought it was just outside here so I checked the window and didn't see anything so I got back into bed. Lightning strikes cause rail disruption
"About 15 minutes later my stepdad was outside going, you need to get out, it's on fire." Two lightning spotters had to be rescued from a beach in Middleton, near Morecambe, by police when their car got stuck amid a "spectacular" storm.
In Lancashire, two lightning spotters had to be rescued from a beach by police when their car got stuck amid a "spectacular" storm.
Lancashire Road Police said the pair were parked on sand off Carr Lane in Middleton, near Morecambe, when the car became embedded.
Officers helped release them before the tide came in and have urged people not to try and drive on to beaches.