
- 19 July is the hottest day of the year so far
- Brize Norton has top temperature of 33.5C
- Temperatures set to hit 35 degrees
- UK government has issued health warnings as the heatwave sets in
As the sun slowly begins to set in Britain on this warmest of days, we are now shutting down the live blog.
For all the latest news of all other events across the world, please visit IBTimes UK
Brize Norton has now beaten Pershore with a top temperature of 33.5C, still not quite at the predicted 35C.
The Associated Press has just put out a break that says last month was the hottest June in modern history, marking the 14th consecutive month that global heat records have been broken. Presumably Britain didn't really contribute too much to this figure.
According to the the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: "The globally averaged temperature over land and ocean surfaces for June 2016 was the highest for the month of June in the NOAA global temperature dataset record, which dates back to 1880.
"This marks the 14th consecutive month the monthly global temperature record has been broken, the longest such streak in the 137-year record."

No British weather story would be complete without an update on how our transport system is falling apart because of it.
Great Western Railway has said that due to the hot weather, speed restrictions have been imposed at various locations between London Paddington and Reading to prevent damage to lines and as a result many services between London Paddington and Reading are being amended or cancelled.
Several services, including London Paddington to Oxford have been cancelled, and some Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington services will terminate at Swindon.
We have another update on the temperature as town in Worcestershire is now hottest in UK.
Pershore has now beaten Heathrow with a top temperature of 33.4 °C! #hottestdayoftheyear
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2016
A new threshold has been crossed as the temperature at Heathrow reaches 33.2 degrees. Not only that but take a look at the almost total lack of cloud over the UK.
It's now reached 33.2 °C at Heathrow. Latest image shows clear skies across most of the country #hottestdayoftheyear pic.twitter.com/Dzcs22bLW2
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2016
Will we reach 35 degrees?
Pictures are coming in of British people looking surly in the Blackpool sun. Also, loads of seagulls.




Big time animal fans, PETA UK, are here with some advice on how to keep your four-legged friend happy in the heat.
The main points:
- Stay inside
- Walk instead of running
- Lots of water and shade
- Be careful of their adorable, little paws on hot pavements
- Keep an eye on other dogs
- Don't leave them in parked cars
SHARE and help protect dogs during the heatwave!
Posted by PETA UK on Tuesday, July 19, 2016
If you do find a dog stuck in a hot car then PETA has steps to follow: try to find the owner, call the police, stay on the scene and, if necessary, "take steps to remove the distressed animal from the car" (make sure you have witnesses around to back you up).
As the RSPCA says, "dogs die in hot cars".
Nothing is ever as good and simple as it seems, of course. Here to remind us that the weather isn't just there for your tan lines is the Met office, with warnings of thunderstorms. Not just thunderstorms, but #thunderstorms for most of the country north of London.
â¡ï¸After the #hottestdayoftheyear comes #thunderstorms. Warnings have been issued https://t.co/TmvTfmDfrKâ¡ï¸ pic.twitter.com/65KwmrUO3E
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2016
Not only did we here at IBTimes UK go out on the streets to talk to the populi about the hottest day of the year, we made a video with some of the best twitter reactions -if there's anywhere that knows how to react, it's twitter.
We also have an article which examines whether there is any truth behind the theories that fizzy water hydrates you better just plain old still water in the heat?
Quick answer is no, it doesn't.
From the article
The reason we enjoy carbonated water might come as a surprise. A study from the University of Southern California (USC), mentioned in this piece from Popular Science, suggests that the CO2 in carbonated water triggers the same pain receptors in the nasal cavity as spicy food.
So why do we enjoy something that make us feel (very mild) pain? "It may be a macho thing," one of the USC authors suggested. Though an earlier study showed that carbonation makes us perceive drinks as colder than they actually are – if you're looking for a refreshing drink on a hot summer's day, maybe the perceived cooling sensation of carbonated water could make it seem like a more cooling choice.
You can read the full piece here.

Also on IBTimes UK, we spoke to people around the busy Canary Wharf offices to see how they are coping with the heatwave.
Here we have more pics of people sleeping in parks across London today, as the Met Office warns no one will get any actually sleep tonight.
Trouble sleeping last night? Itâs going to feel very muggy tonight #hottestdayoftheyear #heatwave pic.twitter.com/qC7DLC93Um
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2016



All TV weather reports today should just run a clip of Caroline Aherne saying "Scorchio!"
— Ian Hyland (@HylandIan) July 19, 2016
I can think of no finer tribute.
Dear @bbcweather I'd like to report a bug in your iOS app. It says midnight will be 24 degrees. You should fix that. pic.twitter.com/EuJeaKap9N
— Martin Belam (@MartinBelam) July 19, 2016
Whoever likes this weather and wants it hotter please lock yourself in a oven you are ridiculous #hottestdayoftheyear
— Zuher tatli (@ZuherTatli) July 19, 2016
THIS IS NOT NOT OK I LITERALLY HAD TO PUT MY PHONE IN THE FRIDGE #hottestdayoftheyear pic.twitter.com/WoT9YGLqqn
— lulutits (@SavageLindemann) July 19, 2016
#hottestdayoftheyear I'm done. pic.twitter.com/67Y9Eud8Gi
— N wardle (@NathanN8W) July 19, 2016
#hottestdayoftheyear ð ð pic.twitter.com/KbF1moTJtO
— PoisonIvy (@PoisonIvyMoon) July 19, 2016
#hottestdayoftheyear pic.twitter.com/lI6ItWJeYY
— Maty å (@irwinnielourson) July 19, 2016
The Met Office confirms a temperature of 32.2C has been reached at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire as the country edges closer to that predicted 35C.
The London Ambulance Service has issued a statement saying they have responded to hundreds more calls as temperatures soar in the capital.
Yesterday (18 July) the Service attended 300 more category A calls – the most seriously ill and injured patients – compared to an average day.
Medical Director, Dr Fenella Wrigley is asking everyone to take care of themselves and repeated advice on how to act safe in the heat.
Fenella said:
We see an increase in calls because people forget to stay hydrated and the heat can exacerbate heart and breathing conditions.
Older people, the very young and people with pre-existing conditions are more at risk so please check on friends, family members and neighbours who are vulnerable.
We urge everyone out enjoying the sunshine to drink plenty of water, stay in the shade to keep cool, cover up, carry any essential medication with them and drink alcohol in moderation."
People who need treatment for a minor condition should consider other healthcare options, such as calling NHS 111 or visiting a minor injuries unit, NHS walk-in centre or local pharmacist.
If they need to go to hospital for non-emergency treatment, they should get a lift from a friend or relative or take a taxi."
Apparently the UK and Ireland are having the #hottestdayoftheyear aka one day at 30C. That's cute.
— Lisa Marchi (@Scigulina) July 19, 2016
***Waves from Italy***
Evening plans #hottestdayoftheyear pic.twitter.com/V1alL7jFxh
— ShortList Magazine (@ShortList) July 19, 2016
Heatwave got me like#HottestDayOfTheYear pic.twitter.com/zdHUmJkIwZ
— The weekday (@behlul_official) July 19, 2016
Say what you like about Theresa May but the weather has really picked up.
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) July 19, 2016
Only on #Facebook will you find someone trying to sell heaters on the #hottestdayoftheyear pic.twitter.com/uE2jVjuFCX
— Smudge (@Cfc_Smudge) July 19, 2016
We now have our egg-frying attempt, but if we're being completely honest the results are a little disappointing.
Can you cook an egg on a car in the heat? We decided to give it a go... #heatwave #hottestdayoftheyear ð³ pic.twitter.com/M9OD5Vq3be
— BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) July 19, 2016
It's official!
âï¸It's the #hottestdayoftheyear so far with 30.1 °C recorded at Charlwood, Heathrow and Northoltâï¸
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 19, 2016
As we edge closer o the hottest part of the day, here's a reminder of the tips from Public Health England on how to stay safe as the mercury rises:

Just checked to see if anyone has attempted to fry an egg on a car bonnet yet. No luck so far, but looks like the BBC will have us covered soon enough.
Coming up, @sadienine tries to fry an egg on a car bonnet. This shot was taken before 9am! #hottestdayoftheyear pic.twitter.com/GhPXb7dznc
— BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) July 19, 2016
We have plenty of pictures of people sunbathing for you to enjoy while you're enjoying the weather yourselves, or worse, stuck at work.



The Met Office has just confirmed it has ready reached 28.3C at Heathrow and it's going to get even warmer throughout the day. Still expecting highs of 35C.
**A #heatwave tip**
— Greg James (@gregjames) July 19, 2016
Have all your meetings by the freezers in a service station M&S Food which is statistically the coldest place on earth
the House of Commons struggles with the heat, July 1949 #heatwave pic.twitter.com/GbaSoa1ec2
— Esther Webber (@estwebber) July 19, 2016
Can I spend today like this? ð #hottestdayoftheyear #scorchio pic.twitter.com/TNABP8KHW1
— Sarah Fisher (@_SarahJFisher) July 19, 2016
Everything's melting! #hottestdayoftheyear pic.twitter.com/ShThmznVP7
— Carolyn (@tweetycakes78) July 19, 2016