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UK weather: Temperatures to rise after thunderstorms UK weather: Temperatures to rise after thunderstorms
(32 minutes later)
Thunderstorms swept across much of the UK on Tuesday night, ahead of possible record-breaking heat this week.Thunderstorms swept across much of the UK on Tuesday night, ahead of possible record-breaking heat this week.
Weather forecasters are predicting that temperatures in London could reach 38C (100F) on Thursday.Weather forecasters are predicting that temperatures in London could reach 38C (100F) on Thursday.
That would pass the current record for a day in July - 36.7C (98.1F) - which was recorded at Heathrow Airport in 2015.That would pass the current record for a day in July - 36.7C (98.1F) - which was recorded at Heathrow Airport in 2015.
BBC Weather said there were about 48,000 lightning strikes overnight from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.BBC Weather said there were about 48,000 lightning strikes overnight from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.
Houses in Cheshire, Warwickshire and Wrexham caught fire after being hit by lightning, while a taxi driver had to be rescued from flood water in Newbridge, Caerphilly county.Houses in Cheshire, Warwickshire and Wrexham caught fire after being hit by lightning, while a taxi driver had to be rescued from flood water in Newbridge, Caerphilly county.
At least 20-30mm of rain fell in parts of Wales, the Midlands and the north of England.At least 20-30mm of rain fell in parts of Wales, the Midlands and the north of England.
Forecasters say temperatures in some parts could reach 36C (97F) later on Wednesday.Forecasters say temperatures in some parts could reach 36C (97F) later on Wednesday.
Meanwhile the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning about thunderstorms which are expected to hit most of England and southern Scotland from 4pm on Thursday and last into the early hours of Friday morning.
On Thursday, temperatures in eastern England could surpass the current July record of 36.7C and possibly the all-time record of 38.5C set in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.
Northern Ireland and western Scotland are expected to be the coolest areas with temperatures in the low 20s.
Network Rail has announced that speed restrictions are to be introduced on Thursday because of the heat.Network Rail has announced that speed restrictions are to be introduced on Thursday because of the heat.
In a statement, Network Rail said: "We may have to introduce speed restrictions during the hottest part of the day at vulnerable locations as slower trains exert lower forces on the track and reduce the likelihood of buckling.In a statement, Network Rail said: "We may have to introduce speed restrictions during the hottest part of the day at vulnerable locations as slower trains exert lower forces on the track and reduce the likelihood of buckling.
"Passengers should check before they travel, by visiting their train operator's website or National Rail Enquiries.""Passengers should check before they travel, by visiting their train operator's website or National Rail Enquiries."
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.
On Thursday, temperatures in eastern England could surpass the current July record of 36.7C and possibly the all-time record of 38.5C set in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.
Northern Ireland and western Scotland are expected to be the coolest areas with temperatures in the low 20s.
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.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.
"About 15 minutes later my stepdad was outside going, you need to get out, it's on fire.""About 15 minutes later my stepdad was outside going, you need to get out, it's on fire."
Elsewhere, police divers were called out on Tuesday evening to three different stretches of the Thames in Greater London, following reports of people getting into difficulty in the water.Elsewhere, police divers were called out on Tuesday evening to three different stretches of the Thames in Greater London, following reports of people getting into difficulty in the water.
The Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday that river searches were continuing at Shadwell, Waterloo, and Kingston. The Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday that the body of a 23-year-old man had been recovered from the river near Shadwell Basin.
A spokesman said: "The death is not being treated as suspicious. Searches continue to locate two other males currently missing in the Thames."
Two lightning spotters in Lancashire had to be rescued from a beach by police when their car got stuck amid a "spectacular" overnight thunderstorm.
Lancs 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.
Meanwhile, Western Europe is braced for temperatures of more than 40C.Meanwhile, Western Europe is braced for temperatures of more than 40C.
The French city of Bordeaux hit its highest temperature since records began on Tuesday - with Meteo France registering 41.2C (106.1F).The French city of Bordeaux hit its highest temperature since records began on Tuesday - with Meteo France registering 41.2C (106.1F).
Forecasters have also predicted record-breaking temperatures in other countries including Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.Forecasters have also predicted record-breaking temperatures in other countries including Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
A World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman said the heatwaves bore "the hallmark of climate change".A World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman said the heatwaves bore "the hallmark of climate change".