Summary

Watch: Latest forecast from BBC Weather

Live Reporting

Edited by Jamie Whitehead and Rorey Bosotti

  1. Keeping pets cool during the hot weather

    Black Labrador runs and jumps in the water at the seaside on a sunny dayGetty Images

    The RSPCA has some advice on how to best keep your pets cool during the heatwave:

    • Make sure your pets have shade
    • Give them constant access to fresh water - you can put ice cubes in their water bowls for an extra cool kick
    • Give them damp towels for them to lie on
    • Use a pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of your pet's skin

    The Woodgreen Pets Charity also advises dog owners to walk them in the early morning and late evening to avoid the brunt of the heat.

    Outdoors small pet enclosures should be moved to the shade and you can also provide some extra relief from the sun to your pets by putting out extra pots and pet-friendly plants around your gardens and balconies.

  2. One heatwave does not make a summer

    Matt Taylor
    BBC Weather

    A woman in a green dress sits on a sun lounger under a tree in a park eating a cornetto. A man in a polo shirt sits to her left in a matching green-and-white chair, rows of similar chairs in front of them on the lawnGetty Images

    I think we all know how notoriously changeable the UK climate is, and having a heatwave this early in the summer does not mean the rest of the season will follow suit.

    However, most seasonal forecasts for the UK point to a higher than usual chance that this summer will be hotter than normal.

    This is largely attributed to the background of climate change. As average global temperatures rise, so will the chance of hotter spells and potential heatwaves.

    The forecast for rainfall over the summer is much less clear.

    As many are discovering today, hot weather doesn’t automatically mean sunshine and when you have higher temperatures any storms that do form tend to produce more rainfall.

    • You can read more on the summer forecast in our story

  3. Waiting, drumming and a Handfasting: Summer solstice at Stonehenge

    We can now bring you some more pictures from this morning's summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge, where an estimated 25,000 people gathered earlier today.

    The event is one of the few occasions people can walk next to the stones at the ancient site near Salisbury in Wiltshire.

    A woman with a skull headdress plays a large tambourine as she watches the Sun rise in Stonehenge, a large crowd around her and three of the stones visible in the backgroundReuters
    Large crowds at Stonehenge wait for the sun to rise, early light reflecs on the stonesReuters
    A man (L) in chequered shirt; a woman (C) in dress holding up some ribbons and flowers while she smiles; and a young girl (R) in front of the stonesReuters

    One couple held their Handfasting ceremony at Stonehenge as the sun rose in front of them

    A woman with turquoise hair and a flower crown plays the fiddle as she sits on the ground next to the Stonehenge circle as the Sun risesReuters

    The summer solstice marks the beginning of the astronomical summer, which will last until the end of September

  4. Why do thunderstorms happen after high temperatures?

    Matt Taylor
    BBC Weather

    We all know the saying that a British summer is “three fine days and a thunderstorm”.

    It stems from our generally changeable weather conditions brought about by our location, with continental Europe on one side and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean on the other.

    For thunderstorms to occur, you need a ready supply of moisture in the atmosphere and the atmosphere to become “unstable”.

    This is where the air closer to the ground is warmer than the air above it, causing the air to rise rapidly – the same sort of process that helps a hot air balloon to rise.

    Days of daytime heating can cause that temperature difference to occur. The approach of an area of low pressure from the Atlantic results in the same effect, but instead it moves cooler air into the upper atmosphere rather than warming it from below.

    This weekend is a mix of both, ahead of a change to fresher conditions through Sunday. The humid weather that most of us are experiencing today means that there’s plenty of moisture to create some pretty torrential thunderstorms too.

    As a reminder, a yellow thunderstorm warning is in place today in parts of England and Wales.

  5. How to keep cool and safe in the heat

    As we've been reporting, hot weather will still dominate most of the country today, so here's some tips on how to keep yourself cool:

    Four-sectioned graphic on top tips to keep cool in hot weather. From top left: drink water and eat foods with high water content; wear loose-fitting clothing and breathable fabrics; stay in the shade and limit travel; use fans, ice and cool showers to reduce body temperature

  6. Amber heat-health alert remains in place due to hot weather

    An amber heat-health alert is to remain in place for all regions in England until Monday because of the high temperatures we're expecting to see over the coming days.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the alert on Thursday, warning that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services.

    "Our findings show that heat can result in serious health outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or those with pre-existing health conditions," says Dr Agostinho Sousa, UKHSA's head of Extreme Events and Health Protection.

    "It is therefore important to check on friends, family and neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions while enjoying the sun."

  7. Three summer solstice myths and the truth behind them

    BBC Bitesize

    Hundreds of people hold up phones to take pictures of StonehengeGetty Images

    The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, giving us a chance to take advantage of added sunlight.

    It is widely celebrated across the globe, but as with any event of cultural significance, the solstice has accumulated many a myth and folktale over the years.

    So we're here to set the record straight, and help you sort the truth from the myths this summer solstice.

    Is the summer solstice the hottest day of the year, do some places get 24 hours of daylight today and was Stonehenge really built to align with the Sun on the solstice?

    We've got all the answers in our Mythbusters piece.

  9. It's the longest day of the year, here's a recap of what's been happening

    Rorey Bosotti
    Live editor

    People swim in the sea and watch as the sun rises on the horizonPA Media

    The Sun rises over Cullercoats Bay on North Tyneside

    If you're only just joining us, you have missed the main event but no fear - there's still plenty to come. In the meantime, here's a quick recap of what's happened so far on the longest day of the year:

  10. In pictures: The Sun rises over London

    Jamie Whitehead
    Live editor

    It was an early start for a many of us today as thousands gathered around the country to celebrate the summer solstice.

    My co-editor Rorey and I weren't quite up early enough to see the Sun rise on our way into work this morning, but these pictures of dawn breaking over the capital have made their way to us.

    As a reminder, it could be the hottest day in June in six years today, but there are yellow thunderstorm warnings in parts of the country.

    A couple take photos on mobile phones of the sun rising from a pod on the London Eye.PA Media
    Sunrise over LondonPA Media
    The sun rising over St Paul's Cathedral in LondonPA Media
    The sun rises over the Houses of ParliamentPA Media

  11. Saturday could be the hottest June day in six years

    Matt Taylor
    BBC Weather

    Graphic showing temperatures in UK across Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

    Although some parts of England and Wales are subject to a yellow thunderstorm warning, as we reported in our previous post, some parts of East Anglia are expected to have their fifth day under heatwave conditions.

    If we hit 34 Celsius today it will be the hottest June day in six years.

    However, temperatures will have already dropped in Northern Ireland relative to recent days, and as westerly winds gradually develop into Sunday that fresher will reach all by Monday.

    It’s conceivable though that some in East Anglia may still be above the heatwave threshold on Sunday.

  12. Yellow thunderstorm warnings for parts of UK

    Map of central UK highlighted in yellow to indicate a thunderstorm warning for northern England, the Midlands and parts of northeastern Wales

    The Met Office forecasts yellow thunderstorm warnings for parts of northern England, the Midlands and Wales from Saturday afternoon into Sunday.

    While it will be a dry, at times bright start for many, the Met Office's yellow storm warning will remain in place from 15:00 BST on Saturday until 03:00 on Sunday, with the potential for localised flash flooding, large hail and lightning.

    The Met Office says: "The most intense thunderstorms could produce frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds, along with some heavy downpours for a time. This may lead to some surface water impacts in places."

    You can keep up to date with the latest forecasts across the UK in our news story.

  13. A look back at the summer solstice sunrise - in pictures

    The sunrise this morning was pictured by thousands across the UK as crowds welcomed in the summer solstice - the longest day of the year.

    Here is a snapshot of some of the pictures we've received so far - and you can send us more on WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630.

    A few hundred people gathered in a field, looking at the sunrise in the distance.Steve and the team at QECP

    Steve sent us this photo of the sunrise from Butser Hill in Hampshire

    The sunrise over the fields in Derbyshire. The sun is central to the image, with the fields separated by hedgerows.Gregory Broadbent

    The sunrise at Arbor Low in Derbyshire

    The sunrise from the air. The wing of a plane is to the right of the image, with a large amount of clouds in the sky.Submitted

    Here's a view of the sunrise from the sky over Stonehenge from a plane at 3,000ft

    A woman swimming in the sea, looking out at the sunrise.

    The sunrise from Corton in Suffolk

  14. Will this be the hottest summer solstice on record?

    Map showing temperatures in UK, Saturday dawn and Saturday afternoon.

    Forecasters expect temperatures to peak at around 33C on Saturday but it is unlikely to be the highest temperature experienced on the day of the summer solstice.

    That record was set in 2017 at Heathrow Airport when 34.5C was recorded.

    Typically while this solstice is the day with the most sunlight, the UK's weather becomes hotter later in the summer when more heat has accumulated in the air and the ground.

  15. Summer solstice begins as UK heatwave set to continue

    Matt Spivey
    Live page editor

    Person on paddleboard and others in water, sunrise behind.PA Media

    In Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, people took an early morning dip to mark the summer solstice

    Thousands of people gathered at various sites across the UK this morning to watch the sunset to mark the summer solstice - the longest day of the year.

    We've been receiving stunning photos of the sky this morning in Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Lancaster, Cheltenham and many other parts of the UK.

    Cheers erupted as the sun rose over Stonehenge this morning, with people across the UK heading out to "celebrate the sun".

    The glorious sun rise marked the start of what is set to be another hot day, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 34C and a yellow warning for thunderstorms.

    Stay with us throughout the day for the latest updates during the longest day of the year, and do keep sending in your pictures - get in touch on WhatsApp by using 0800 313 4630.

  16. From Somerset to Northumberland

    So many of you are sending through your beautiful photos to us via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

    The sun rising behind a metal Welsh Dragon statue. The sea is in the distance, with the sun centre of the image.Submitted

    The sun rising behind the Welsh Dragon at Bettisfield in Flintshire, Wales

    A person walking on a wooden pier in Northumberland.Submitted

    The sunrise in Amble in Northumberland

    Three people on a hill near Bath. Two are sat down, with one stood up. The sun is rising over the hill in the background.Kieron Jones

    From sunrise from Little Solsbury Hill above the village of Batheaston in Somerset

  17. 'Record breaking crowd' confirmed by English Heritage

    English Heritage has estimated about 25,000 people attended the solstice at Stonehenge this year, with the warm weather helping to swell the crowd numbers.

    Julia Richardson, Stonehenge operations manager, told BBC Breakfast they have not had numbers like this for at least the past decade.

    She said it was a "perfect combination" of the weather leading into the weekend that brought the crowds out.

    "It's been a lovely, peaceful event with an amazing atmosphere," she added.

    A woman in a red dress and flower crown is stood, speaking to the crowd near to the base of the Stonehenge monument. The sun can be seen shining through some of the stones.Reuters

    About 25,000 people attended solstice celebrations at Stonehenge this year

  18. The moment the sun rose at Stonehenge

    Tens of thousands if people witnessed a beautiful sunrise this morning at Stonehenge, in Wiltshire.

    This was the moment the Sun made its first appearance, much to the crowd's delight.

    Watch: Crowd cheers as the sun rises at Stonehenge on summer solstice

  19. Celebrate the solstice in Roblox

    A computer game character with a red head, green top and purple trousers walks on bright green grass and purple ground. They are walking towards an animated version of Stonehenge.

    If you slept in and missed the start of the longest day of the year, don’t worry.

    The BBC’s new adventure in Roblox can transport you to Stonehenge, with a game or two along the way.

    Solstice is celebrated across the world and now Roblox players can explore a virtual Stonehenge in the BBC’s very own space on the popular platform, BBC Wonder Chase.

    Inside BBC Wonder Chase, players can take part in a fun mini-game and learn about the solstice and the prehistoric site.

    In English, the word solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning "sun standing still", and players can see this in action as the sun in the game slowly descends towards Stonehenge, stopping at the iconic monument at the exact moment of the solstice in the real world.

    BBC Wonder Chase on Roblox has seen more than 4.5 million players and has featured everything from Doctor Who to Wallace & Gromit. Last year, players could even meet Larry the Cat around the time of the UK general election.

    You can check it out here - or by searching “BBC Wonder Chase” in Roblox.

  20. 'He's my summer solstice boy'

    Sammy Jenkins
    BBC News, Live page reporter

    One Cheltenham family has been celebrating more than the summer solstice in Gloucestershire this morning - because their son Laurie turns two today.

    His mum Rebecca said: "Two years ago, little Laurie made a very quick entrance into the world - my husband delivered him at home half an hour before sunrise.

    “He was born at 3.45am and we saw the sunrise with the paramedics in our bathroom."

    She described it as a "magic moment" and said the family now go to Leckhampton Hill, in Cheltenham, to mark the summer solstice every year.

    "He's my summer solstice boy," Rebecca added.

    A man, woman and two children on Leckhampton Hill. The sun is rising above the country landscape in the background.