Alex Emery & Kris Bramwell
BBC News

Some of our readers in more northerly climes of England have expressed some disgruntlement at the cooler temperatures they're currently experiencing.

Peter Morgan in Derbyshire, where it's 23C and raining, says: "Whilst the country swelters, here in Buxton it’s business as usual."

John Beaumont in Sheffield, where it is also raining and 19C, says "all the hysteria is ridiculous". "We are being treated as if we cannot make simple decision for ourselves."

Emma Pilling-Mesnage, a fellow Sheffield resident, notes that "despite the BBC weather app announcing full sun with a 0% chance of rain... it actually raining in Sheffield right now".

Richard Murray in Cumbria, has also not experienced the high temperatures. It's 22C in South Lakeland, with odd showers of rain and lots of clouds.

Reservoirs are a crucial part of water supplies.

But, according to data going back more than three decades, England's reservoirs are at particularly low levels.

There are a few of factors that can affect reservoir levels, but the main reason is a lack of rainfall.

Earlier, the Environment Agency warned England is now suffering from "nationally significant" water shortfalls.

The chair of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, an independent coalition of climate and environment experts, says this is a "clear signal that climate collapse is unravelling our water, food and natural systems".

David King says the Environment Agency's declaration is "necessary but insufficient".

"This crisis demands a fundamental shift," he says, "that places real value on our planet and environment".

He says that there is a chance here to turn "crisis into opportunity" by investing more in nature and making better use of water, which can lead to "economic resilience, ecological renewal and climate leadership".

Sabitha Prasher
BBC Weather

Eight out of 10 of the UK's hottest days ever recorded were from locations in eastern England. This includes the current UK temperature record of 40.3C set on 19 July 2022 in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

Eastern England often sees the highest temperature in the UK for a number of reasons including its low-lying elevation and proximity to Europe.

The sun's energy is more concentrated in the south of the UK than the north which can also lead to higher temperatures.

London frequently features in the list of UK hotspots due to the urban heat island effect. This is when heavily built up areas with lots of concrete and asphalt heat up more quickly, and hold on to the heat much more than rural areas. The city acts as a big storage heater so overnight temperatures don't fall as far as those in the countryside.

You can find out more in our article.

Image source, Getty Images

Several European countries are also battling the impacts of the heat, with wildfires burning in parts of Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey.

The Reuters news agency reports that one mayor in Portugal, Alexandre Favraios, warned the region is "being cooked alive" adding "this cannot continue", as wildfires continue to blaze for the tenth day in the Vila Real area in the north of the country.

On the south coast of Spain, more than 2,000 people have been evacuated from Tarifa as a forest fire spread.

The extreme temperatures have led the Spanish interior ministry to declare a "pre-emergency", with national services on standby to help firefighters.

As we've been reporting, the Greek island of Zante has also seen its villages subject to multiple evacuation orders, with helicopters used to deliver water drops on affected areas.

And, in Italy, red heat alerts have been issued for several cities, which means that "emergency conditions" are in place for residents.

Image source, BBC Weather

As of 13:00 BST today, the highest temperature registered in England so far is 31C, although that could change as temperatures are expected to peak in the coming hours.

The areas sweltering under 31C include Tewkesbury, Gloucester, and Yeovilton, according to BBC Weather's forecast map.

And as we've reported, temperatures are expected to climb as high as 33C or 34C in southern and central England today.

We can now bring you the latest pictures from across Europe, where extreme heat and wildfires are affecting communities including in Portugal and Spain, among others, with fire crews battling blazes in the extreme summer heat.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Sabitha Prasher
BBC Weather

Image source, PA Media

Probably not.

Temperatures are expected to climb as high as 33C or 34C in southern and central England today, but this would still not make it the hottest day of the year so far.

We could see similar temperatures tomorrow, but they are more likely further east in England.

Here are the highest temps of 2025 so far for each nation:

• England - 35.8C Faversham, 1 July
• Wales – 33.1C Cardiff Bute Park, 12 July
• Scotland - 32.2C Aviemore, 12 July
• Nothern Ireland - 30C Magilligan, 12 July

Although Scotland and Northern Ireland won’t reach any temperature records, by Wednesday some areas are likely to meet the heatwave threshold as temperatures rise above 25C for the third consecutive day.

Nikos Papanikolaou
BBC News

A large wildfire is burning between the villages of Lithakia, Agalas and Koiliomenos on the Greek island of Zante, prompting multiple evacuation orders.

Authorities say 60 firefighters, two ground teams and 17 engines are battling the flames, assisted by five planes and three helicopters. Strong winds earlier grounded aerial operations, but water drops have now resumed.

Reinforcements are arriving from the mainland, including crews from Patras. Fourteen firefighters with one ground team and four vehicles are travelling by ferry from Kyllini, with another 35 firefighters, three ground teams and 10 vehicles also en route.

Local officials say flames are close to homes in Agalas and moving towards Keri. At least one house has been destroyed, and hotels between the two villages have been evacuated. Another hotel in Apelati, near Keri, has also been evacuated.

Two emergency alerts have been sent via the 112 service, directing people to safe areas.

Authorities warn the wildfire risk remains very high today across much of central and southern mainland Greece and the north-eastern Aegean.

Alex Emery & Kris Bramwell
BBC News

Our readers have been sharing their tips and tricks for dealing with the high temperatures.

Helen in Bristol advises sitting in front of your fan, drinking cold beverages and occasionally putting your feet in a bowl of cold water.

Paul Scrimshaw says he has a pair of fans running constantly in his lounge and bedroom during prolonged heat spells.

Ilaria in Kingston-upon-Thames says people in the UK should adjust their habits in hotter weather to match places like Italy, where she is from. She says shops could shut at the hottest points of the day, while bars and restaurants could open later into the evenings.

Ilaria also advises keeping rooms dark. "When I know it’s going to be hot, I leave windows and blinds closed before I leave for work and open them in the evening," she says.

If you'd like to share your own tips, get in touch with the BBC in the following ways:

• Email: bbcyourvoice@bbc.co.uk, external
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Joe Pike
Political Correspondent

A team of UK government officials is coordinating with the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency, after heat health alerts were issued across all regions of England.

The group of experts, who are based at the Cabinet Office, are monitoring the impact of this week's expected heatwave on the health system, transport system and water supply.

They have access to live data on the rail network, 999 calls, hospital admissions, reservoir levels and water outages.

The government is also advising people to follow official advice on staying safe during the hot weather, external.

Image source, PA Media

Lets take a moment to bring you the latest developments:

• Temperatures could peak at 33C-34C in central and southern England today as the UK faces another spell of hot weather
• Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to reach the mid to high 20s Celsius - take a look the latest weather forecast

• Amber and yellow heat health alerts have been issued for all regions of England - but here's why a heatwave has not yet been officially declared
• Adding to the heat will be growing humidity today, and little or no wind to move the air around, writes our weather forecaster
• The current shortfall of water across England is now a "nationally significant incident" the Environment Agency says
• Hosepipe bans are in place in regions served by South East Water, Southern Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water
• Europe is also enduring sizzling temperatures above 40C, as wildfires affect a number of countries
• From wiping your face with a wet flannel to chilling your socks, we've been sharing tips and tricks for staying cool in the heat

Alex Emery & Kris Bramwell
BBC News

Image source, John Thring

People who are older or who have long-term health conditions are sometimes less able to cope with the strain that heat puts on their bodies.

John Thring, 81, is a retired development and forensic engineer from Poole who says he has a useful tip to keep cool during a heatwave.

"People should buy an electric fan or two, repeatedly and regularly wet their face and hair with a sopping-wet flannel, and sit in the draft from the fan,” he says, adding that "it feels wonderful and removes a lot of heat from the body".

Sue Orchard, from Thames Ditton in Surrey, tells the BBC that she dreads the summer heat each year.

"I am elderly and live in an upper maisonette which becomes so very hot, and stays hotter longer than the temperature outside," she says.

Sue says next summer she will have to get a mobile air conditioner. "I just can’t face another summer like this.”

Simon Browning
Transport correspondent

The cycle of heatwaves we’re in has already started to affect rail services in recent weeks.

The heat and lack of rain has caused the soil under the tracks in some areas of the south of England to shrink, known as "soil moisture deficit". Clay beneath the soil has compacted, causing the track in some places to become uneven.

In parts of Essex, buses have replaced trains while engineering works are carried out on uneven tracks under the lines by adding ballast (large stones) to create a more solid foundation.

Buses will replace Greater Anglia trains for some late evening journeys on Mondays to Thursdays between Shenfield and Southend Victoria and Southminster, the rail company said. They will continue for two to three months.

Meanwhile, South West Railway is suffering from the same problem and has introduced temporary speed restrictions and timetable changes on services from London Waterloo to the west of England.

South West Trains will wait for soil moisture to improve and for the ground to begin to rehydrate and settle. Passengers should check operator websites for details.

Image source, Network Rail

If the heat is already getting to you, you might be looking forward to things cooling off later, but getting a good night's sleep when temperatures are high can be difficult.

There are ways to make it easier. Here are some tips based on expert advice:

• No napping – Heat might make you feel lethargic, due to using more energy to regulate your internal temperature. But in the heat, sleepiness can be precious. Save it for bedtime
• Keep to routines – Hot weather can encourage you to change your habits. Don't. That can disrupt sleep - try to keep to your usual bedtime and routines
• Remember the basics – Draw the curtains or blinds during the day. At night, open all the windows before you go to bed to get a breeze through your home
• Use thin sheets – Reduce your bedding but keep covers handy. Thin cotton sheets will absorb sweat
• Use a fan and chill your socks – It sounds odd but put a pair of socks in the fridge and wear them in bed. Cooling your feet lowers your overall temperature

Alex Emery & Kris Bramwell
BBC News

Image source, DavidH

While we're expecting hot and sunny weather for much of the UK today, and despite a forecast for a largely dry and warm day, it's been a cloudy start in the Manchester area.

The city, with its reputation for precipitation, has even seen some rain this morning, according to John who got in touch with us via Your Voice Your BBC News.

Geoff in Clayton also let us know that there's "not much of a heatwave in Manchester".

And just a reminder that most of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland will all be looking at least a few degrees lower than the headline forecast of 34C for the hottest parts of England.

BBC Weather's Helen Willetts has the latest forecast for you.

Temperatures are expected to be higher across the UK today, with a lot of sunshine in the afternoon. There's very little wind to stir the air.

While a lot of people would describe an ordinary period of very warm or hot weather as a heatwave, the Met Office - the UK's official weather service - has a very formal set of criteria.

It needs locations to reach a particular threshold temperature for at least three consecutive days and that varies from 25C (77F) across the north and west of the UK, to 28C (82.4F) in parts of eastern England.

The UK has two types of warnings to try to increase awareness around risks of hot weather.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has a heat health alert system for England, which it issued earlier, as a sort of early warning system for health and social care professionals who are in the frontline when it comes to dealing with heat-related health risks, especially for vulnerable people.

Separately there are extreme heat warnings issued by the Met Office which are part of the wider severe weather warning service and generally issued to highlight the potential effects of heat in order to protect lives and property by helping people to make better decisions and to stay safe.

These could be issued anywhere across the UK and are either amber or red.

A red warning would signify a risk to life, even for healthy and young people, with impacts to infrastructure as well.

• What's the difference between heat health alerts and extreme heat warnings?

The main reason for droughts being declared in many regions in England is the long period of low rainfall.

The UK had its sixth driest spring this year since records began in 1836. So there has been less moisture to top up our rivers, reservoirs and rocks below the ground.

If that lack of rainfall continues for a long time, it can strain the water supplies that serve our homes and businesses.

In June there was slightly more rainfall than average for the UK overall, but with a big difference between east and west. The start of July was drier than usual.

Rainfall amounts over the coming months will play a key role in shaping which other regions enter drought, and how quickly.

Helen Willetts
BBC Weather

Image source, PA Media

Temperatures reached just about 32C on Monday at London Heathrow.

For the coming day, temperatures are expected to be up by a degree or two, right across the UK.

The morning is starting on a warmer note, some cities were not far off a tropical night - that’s when temperatures don’t fall below 20C - that’s more likely tonight.

The overnight showers are easing away, the rain in northern Scotland is also moving away to the north so the day looks dry for most of us with an abundance of strong sunshine. A developing thunderstorm towards evening is again likely and some coastal fog in the Channel Islands, the English Channel coasts and perhaps the Irish Sea later.

In the strong sunshine by mid-afternoon across Scotland and Northern Ireland, the thermometer is expected to reach the mid to high 20s Celsius. England and Wales, however, will widely reach 25 to 28C with southern and central areas closer to the low 30s Celsius, perhaps peaking at 33-34C - the most likely areas appear to be to the west of London across to the southwest Midlands.

Adding to the heat will be growing humidity today, and little or no wind to move the air around will make it feel oppressive too. Heatwave criteria will be met in many parts of England and Wales.

On Wednesday, the focus for the heat will shift into eastern England.