<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/23/searing-uk-heat-leaves-schools-hospitals-and-transport-networks-struggling-to-cope>
"Searing heat has swept the UK with schools, hospitals, transport networks and
water companies struggling to cope with the extreme temperatures caused by
climate breakdown.
Temperatures hit highs of 34.6C in Wisley in Surrey, the Met Office said, with
the UN chief warning that London was “cooking”.
South-east England is expected to record temperatures of 38C on Wednesday and a
maximum of 39C on Thursday. Those dizzying thermometer readings would shatter
the previous June record of 35.6C, first set in in 1957 and reached again in
1976, and come close to the all-time milestone of 40.3C, reached in July 2022,
which marked the first time anywhere in the UK experienced anything above 40C.
The extreme heat came amid urgent warnings that the UK’s infrastructure was
“built for a climate that no longer exists”. Coping measures implemented this
week include:
* Reduced rail speeds and services.
* Hospital patient appointments cancelled.
* School closures across southern England and Wales.
* Hosepipe bans in south-east England.
The UK’s Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and
Thursday, while a red heat health alert was issued in England indicating “a
risk to life for even the healthy population”.
Much of western Europe is sweltering in oppressive heat trapped by an area of
high pressure, with temperatures pushed abnormally high by the blanket of
carbon pollution smothering Earth. Climate breakdown has added 2C to 4C to the
current heatwave, according to a rapid analysis published by ClimaMeter on
Monday."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
