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Hottest July day ever recorded in England Hottest July day ever recorded in England
(35 minutes later)
England is basking in sunshine on the hottest July day ever recorded. England is basking in sunshine with the hottest July day ever recorded.
The Met Office said a temperature of 36.7C (98F) had been reached at Heathrow - breaking the previous record set in 2006.The Met Office said a temperature of 36.7C (98F) had been reached at Heathrow - breaking the previous record set in 2006.
A level 3 "heatwave action" heat-health alert has been declared for all parts of England.A level 3 "heatwave action" heat-health alert has been declared for all parts of England.
But in Scotland forecasters have warned of thunderstorms, torrential downpours and hail stones up to 1cm in size. But in Scotland forecasters warned of thunderstorms, torrential downpours and hail stones up to 1cm in size.
Public Health England advised avoiding the sun up to 15:00 BST.Public Health England advised avoiding the sun up to 15:00 BST.
Wimbledon spectators - who have been covering their heads with umbrellas, newspapers and towels - have been advised to wear hats. Wimbledon spectators - who have been covering their heads with umbrellas, newspapers and towels - were advised to wear hats.
The centre court roof has been closed to protect the playing surface and people from the heat.The centre court roof has been closed to protect the playing surface and people from the heat.
London is set to be hotter than Rome and Athens, according to BBC Weather, but not hotter than Paris and Madrid which are expected to reach 38C and 37C respectively. London has been hotter than Rome and Athens, according to figures collated by the Met Office, but not hotter than Paris, which reached 39C (102F), and Madrid, which reached 37C (99F).
Network Rail instructed train companies to slow down at vulnerable locations where tracks could buckle because of the heat.Network Rail instructed train companies to slow down at vulnerable locations where tracks could buckle because of the heat.
Network Rail has said the heat could have been a factor in the derailment of a freight train in Lincolnshire on Tuesday.Network Rail has said the heat could have been a factor in the derailment of a freight train in Lincolnshire on Tuesday.
Keeping cool in the heatKeeping cool in the heat
Heatwave myths: The tips and tricks that help you keep your coolHeatwave myths: The tips and tricks that help you keep your cool
10 ways UK is ill-prepared for a heatwave10 ways UK is ill-prepared for a heatwave
Eight low-tech ways to keep cool in a heatwaveEight low-tech ways to keep cool in a heatwave
How to sleep in hot weatherHow to sleep in hot weather
When does tarmac melt?When does tarmac melt?
Health warnings have also been issued to young children, the elderly and those with serious illnesses who are encouraged to stay in the shade, wear loose clothing and drink plenty of water.Health warnings have also been issued to young children, the elderly and those with serious illnesses who are encouraged to stay in the shade, wear loose clothing and drink plenty of water.
Vicky Barber from the British Lung Foundation Helpline said: "During hot weather, the air we breathe has lower moisture levels than usual, which can have a drying effect on our airways. As a result, people with respiratory conditions such as COPD or severe asthma may find it harder to breathe, feel more tired, or find their lungs feeling heavy or tight."Vicky Barber from the British Lung Foundation Helpline said: "During hot weather, the air we breathe has lower moisture levels than usual, which can have a drying effect on our airways. As a result, people with respiratory conditions such as COPD or severe asthma may find it harder to breathe, feel more tired, or find their lungs feeling heavy or tight."
Dr Angie Bone, head of extreme events at Public Health England, said: "Employers should ensure indoor areas are kept cool and consider allowing these individuals to travel to or from their place of work during cooler, or less busy times of the day.Dr Angie Bone, head of extreme events at Public Health England, said: "Employers should ensure indoor areas are kept cool and consider allowing these individuals to travel to or from their place of work during cooler, or less busy times of the day.
"For those working or exercising outdoors, strenuous physical exertion during the hottest part of the day should be kept to a minimum.""For those working or exercising outdoors, strenuous physical exertion during the hottest part of the day should be kept to a minimum."
Some schools have cancelled their sports days, including Castledon School in Wickford, Essex, and Christchurch Primary School in Ilford, north-east London.Some schools have cancelled their sports days, including Castledon School in Wickford, Essex, and Christchurch Primary School in Ilford, north-east London.
People have been reminded to take care swimming in open water, after the death of a man believed to have drowned in a reservoir in Suffolk on Tuesday.People have been reminded to take care swimming in open water, after the death of a man believed to have drowned in a reservoir in Suffolk on Tuesday.
The heat has caused bin collections to be delayed across Bath and North Somerset because the circuit boards in the compactors of the bin lorries are overheating.The heat has caused bin collections to be delayed across Bath and North Somerset because the circuit boards in the compactors of the bin lorries are overheating.
BBC Essex hired an ice cream van to give free ice cream to listeners, paid for by the station presenters and editor.BBC Essex hired an ice cream van to give free ice cream to listeners, paid for by the station presenters and editor.
Breakfast presenter James Whale said: "It's going to be baking in Essex and our listeners are so brilliant we thought they deserved a treat."Breakfast presenter James Whale said: "It's going to be baking in Essex and our listeners are so brilliant we thought they deserved a treat."
One animal at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary has been making the most of the sunshine.One animal at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary has been making the most of the sunshine.
Pumpkin, a grey seal, has learned to jump on the sun canopy over his pool, which he uses as a hammock as he rolls around sunbathing.Pumpkin, a grey seal, has learned to jump on the sun canopy over his pool, which he uses as a hammock as he rolls around sunbathing.
He learned the trick in May but has been doing it every day recently because of the hot weather.He learned the trick in May but has been doing it every day recently because of the hot weather.
Hot weather can be fatal for many animals, and the RSPCA has reminded people never to leave a dog alone in a car on a warm day, even with the windows left open.Hot weather can be fatal for many animals, and the RSPCA has reminded people never to leave a dog alone in a car on a warm day, even with the windows left open.
The PDSA has advised that pets should always have access to shade, and hutches should not be left in direct sunlight.The PDSA has advised that pets should always have access to shade, and hutches should not be left in direct sunlight.
Are you affected by the heatwave and high temperatures? How are you keeping cool? Are you allowed to wear shorts and flip-flops to work today?Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you affected by the heatwave and high temperatures? How are you keeping cool? Are you allowed to wear shorts and flip-flops to work today?Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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