London heatwave LIVE: Temperatures hit 35C in capital as train services go into meltdown

Scientists and campaigners have called the record-breaking temperatures “mind-bogglingly crazy” as they warn that the current heatwave seen across Europe has been made worse by human-driven climate change.

Scientists say the immediate cause of this heatwave across western Europe is a “heat dome”, which involves a high-pressure weather system stalling over a region and trapping heat.

However, they also warn that human-driven climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and severe.

The Met Office said a climate attribution study published last summer by its scientists found that the chances of surpassing the May temperature record “have been increasing as our climate changes as a consequence of human greenhouse gas emissions”.

Peter Thorne, director of the Icarus Climate Research Centre at Maynooth University, said: “We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that heatwave events such as this have been made more likely and more severe due to climate change arising from our emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

“But nevertheless many of the records being set, particularly in the UK and France, are mind-bogglingly crazy.”

Avanti West Coast said train services running to and from London Euston may be “cancelled or delayed” because of a points failure.

In a post on X, Avanti West Coast, which provides passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland, said: “Due to a points failure at London Euston some lines are blocked.

“Train services running to and from this station may be cancelled or delayed.

“Avanti West Coast ticket restrictions have been lifted for the rest of today, Tuesday 26 May.”

South Western Rail passengers are being encouraged to book taxis and claim the cost of them through the rail company to avoid today’s travel chaos.

Trains in and out of London have been seriously disrupted, largely due to today’s heat which has reached 35C in places.

A spokesperson for SWR said: “Because your journey has been heavily disrupted, you can book your own taxi and claim the cost back through the South Western Railway website.

“This applies to travel between any stations served by South Western Railway between Basingstoke and Exeter St Davids and between Southampton and Portsmouth Harbour.”

Temperatures have soared across London today on another record-breaking day.

The mercury hit as high as 35C in Kew Gardens earlier, making Tuesday the hottest May day on record.

The Met Office also said 34C was surpassed at Bushy Park, west London; Santon Downham, Suffolk; Northolt, north-west London; Cippenham, Berkshire; and Wellesbourne, Warwickshire.

The Met Office said cloud and a developing easterly flow on Wednesday would lead to a reduction in temperature highs for many areas – with the highest temperatures forecast in southwestern England where 32C-33C could be recorded.

Highs of 32C are forecast for Thursday in London and the East Midlands, with temperatures on Friday potentially reaching 30C in London and East Anglia and 29C on Saturday forecast around London and Kent.

By Sunday the warmest air is expected to have cleared away to the south with temperatures closer, though mostly above, average for the time of year for the whole of the UK, the Met Office said.

South Western Railway (SWR) said all lines on its network were disrupted “due to multiple signalling faults, track defects and heat-related speed restrictions”.

The train operator runs commuter services from Waterloo to south- west London, suburban services in Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Dorset, as well as regional services in Devon, Somerset and Wiltshire.

In an update on its website, SWR, which also operates services on the Isle of Wight, said: “Train services running across the whole South Western Railway network may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.

“Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”

In a post on X, the Met Office said: “Today is now the hottest day in May on record for both England and Wales with Kew Gardens provisionally reaching 35.1°C and Cardiff Bute Park reaching 32.9°C.”

The weather service said Heathrow had also provisionally recorded 35C, adding: “Until yesterday the highest temperature in May was 32.8C, but we’ve now exceeded that record on consecutive days by a full two degrees Celsius.”

Journeys are being affected between London Waterloo and Weymouth via Winchester, Southampton and Bournemouth, and between London Waterloo and Aldershot via Woking and Guildford.

Some services between Exeter St Davids, Salisbury and London Waterloo are only running as far as Basingstoke.

Services at London Waterloo are also being disrupted by a signalling failure.

A report of smoke between the station and Vauxhall also caused delays earlier on Tuesday.

National Rail Enquiries said Elizabeth line services between London Liverpool Street and Stratford are disrupted.

If you’re braving the sticky commute or stifling WFH conditions, a handheld fan is a must – these portable devices can be used on-the-go or stood up on your desk (M&S’s stylish £10 one is our favourite, but Dyson’s £99 model boasts five cooling modes).

For something a little more substantial, a tower fan can provide sweet relief at your laptop or during the night – Amazon has plenty on next day delivery. Or, consider a portable AC unit: an investment now, these appliances will serve you for many heatwaves to come.

Your sleep set-up during hot conditions is equally important. In addition to summer bedding (think breathable cotton or linen fabrics), it’s worth considering a temperature-regulating mattress, like Panda’s tried and tested design.