Britain shuts down as hundreds of schools close and trains cancelled amid red extreme heat warning

Schools have closed and people have been urged not to travel, as rare red heat weather warnings come into force across much of Britain.

Temperatures could hit 40C on Wednesday and Thursday in some parts of England and Wales as a "heat-dome" settling over western Europe has brought extreme conditions across the continent.

During the peak of the heatwave on these two days, the temperature could come close to the UK’s all-time high of 40.3C, which was measured in Lincolnshire in July 2022.

The latest heatwave is also expected to surpass the record for June of 35.6C set in Hampshire in 1976.

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Over 850 schools in England and Wales have told parents they will be fully closed or finishing early, with pupils at some schools have been told they can wear PE kit rather than full school uniform.

Great Northern, Southern, Avanti West Coast and Thameslink services will be disrupted until Friday, with Eurostar and Gatwick Express operators warning of delays.

Chiltern Railways has axed more than half its services until Friday "to ensure the safe operation of the railway".

The Army has also cancelled ceremonial operations, including the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, in London and Windsor to "protect its soldiers' wellbeing."

More to follow...

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