Temperatures soar across the south

Charlotte Andrews

BBC News

31 July 2024

Image source, Love Lyme Regis
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Hundreds of beach-goers flock to Lyme Regis in Dorset as temperatures hit 25C
Image source, woodywatch15
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Sunflowers bask in the heat as temperatures climb to 28C in Benson, Oxfordshire
Image source, Yen Milne
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Hot enough to fry an egg? Yen Milne gives it a go in the 32C-heat in Fareham, Hampshire
Image source, Robin
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Temperatures reach 31C in Streatley, Berkshire
Image source, Moxley
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People take advantage of the 28C heat to explore Studland in Dorset
Image source, Maz
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The warmth does not stop the bees in Over Wallop in Hampshire, where early morning temperatures hover around 23C
Image source, DereksDisco
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The mercury hit 26C in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Image source, BeaW4
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In Sunningdale, Berkshire, the top temperature reaches 28C
Image source, Shaun
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A balmy 32C is recorded in Wimborne St Giles, Dorset

Hot weather has swept across southern England, with Tuesday touted as the UK's hottest day of the year so far.

Temperatures peaked at 31.7C in Otterbourne, Hampshire and reached 25C at St Catherine's Point on the Isle of Wight.

Bournemouth Airport in Dorset recorded 30.9C, with Benson in Oxfordshire climbing to 29.5C and Reading University in Berkshire sweltering at 30C.

Southern England is expected to have a heatwave officially declared in the coming days, according to weather experts.

The Met Office defines a heatwave, external in the UK as when a location records a period of "at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold."

A yellow weather warning, external for thunderstorms has been issued by the meteorological service for parts of Hampshire from 12:00 BST on Wednesday.

From 01:00 until 23:59 on Thursday, the yellow weather warning has been extended across the entire south region, including Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

The MET Office has warned of possible power cuts, flooding and difficult driving conditions.

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Temperatures soar across the south

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