London heatwave LIVE: 40C red alert as capital to sizzle in hottest-ever June days this week

More than 800 schools in France have closed ahead of the extreme heatwave.

The question is - will the UK follow suit?

Parents may be concerned about sweltering heats inside and outside the classroom, but school authorities will take precautions to protect children and hope to keep schools open.

You can read the full story here.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a statement following the issuing of a rare red heat health alert for six regions in England for Wednesday and Thursday.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA said: “Very hot weather is forecast across large parts of England in the coming days and we are urging health and social care services across the country to ensure they are prepared.

“It is vitally important that people understand the risk posed by high temperatures like these, and take steps to keep themselves and their friends, families and neighbours safe.

“A red heat health alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population, but simple actions like staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool can make a big difference.

“It’s also important to look out for others, especially elderly relatives, neighbours, and those with underlying health conditions, to make sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.”

Great Western Railway (GWR) has said that some trains are delayed or cancelled due to the hot weather.

Some trains between Reading and London Paddington will be cancelled, with stations in the Thames Valley being affected.

The train operator says "track temperatures are forecast to reach levels requiring speed restrictions. Extreme heat can cause rails to expand and buckle, so when temperatures reach certain thresholds, trains must run more slowly to keep services safe."

More delays and cancellations on both GWR and other networks are expected in the coming days with the weather getting even hotter.

The immediate cause of this week’s heatwave is similar to the “heat dome” seen May’s record-setting temperatures.

This involves a “high-pressure” weather system stalling over a region and trapping heat, according to Liz Bentley, chief Executive at the Royal Meteorological Society.

She said: “The coming week will bring an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures likely to reach 38-39°C.

“This will lead to two consecutive months, May and June, in which the UK temperature records have been annihilated by well over 2°C.

She said that one of the overriding reasons we are experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves “is because our climate has changed due to the fossil fuel emissions leading to more dangerous extremes of heat”

The red warning issued by The Met Office will run between 9am on Wednesday and 9pm on Thursday.

Amber warnings are also in force from now until Thursday.

Red warnings could lead to failures of critical national infrastructure, such as power outages or roads and rail lines being closed, and the Met Office advises people to avoid travelling where possible and to follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.

The first ever red heat warning was issued in July 2022, following the introduction of the extreme heat warning system in 2021.

The Greater London Authority’s “Cool Spaces” list could be the ticket to find some solace from the sun this week.

Libraries, community centres, sports centres, and religious spaces were all listed on last year’s database to help protect people during the heatwave.

Drinking water stations have also been signposted on the map for Londoners to refill water bottles and hydrate in the heat.

The GLA map is intended to help reduce health risks from hot weather and to offer shelter from the sun on especially warm days.

You can read the full story and see the map for yourself here.

The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for London on Wednesday and Thursday.

Red weather warnings means the heat is likely to bring impacts to health and could be a danger to life, as well as a risk to infrastructure such as power supplies and transport.

Temperatures will increase significantly in the next few days with the potential for 38 or 39C by Wednesday and Thursday.

Welcome to our live weather coverage.

We will be bringing you all the latest updates as an unprecedented heatwave hits the capital.