UK record temperature has been recorded as 40.3C at Coningsby
The Met office says it's a provisional record
Last updated 19th Jul 2022
Temperatures have topped 40C in the UK for the first time ever, as the sweltering heat fuelled hundreds of fires and widespread transport disruption.
A temperature of 40.3C was provisionally recorded in Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, on Tuesday afternoon, beating the previous record for the UK of 38.7C in Cambridge three years ago, by 1.6C.
The Met Office said at least 29 observation sites across England have provisionally broken the previous all-time record, from Bramham, in West Yorkshire, to Charlwood, in Surrey.
Scotland has experienced its hottest day on record, with the temperature reaching 34.8C in Charterhall in the Scottish Borders, Met Office provisional figures showed.
Amid the sweltering heat a major incident was declared in London in response to a surge in fires across the capital, nine people have died since Saturday in swimming accidents and there has been widespread disruption to train services.
Elsewhere in the heat across Lincolnshire:
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue have 6 crews attending multiple field fires near Alford
They've been called out to gayton top near Gayton Le Marsh - the blaze is also thought to include hay bales.
Nearby residents are advised to keep all doors and windows closed.
As the red weather warning for extreme heat continues – people across Northern Lincolnshire are being urged not to light BBQ’s on dry grasslands.
Humberside Fire and rescue have had 120 calls in the last 24 hours relating to fires in the open.
They also tackled two field fires over the weekend.
Jonathan Clark is from the service, he said:
“This dry spell is making open land absolutely tinder dry, even a cigarette end can have massive consequences.
“Even glass bottles that are left on grassland with the magnifying effect of the hot soon can smoulder and make a fire.
“The best place to have a BBQ is at home on your patio well away from fences and shrubs, make sure you attend to your cooking at all times.”
In previous years the Fire Service has been called to attend fires where embers, that appear to have cooled, have been tipped into a wheelie bin which has then ignited and gone on to destroy sheds and fencing and cause damage to property.
Richard Mason from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“When you have finished your barbecue, the most important thing to remember to do is pour water on to the embers as, even though they may look like they are fully extinguished, they can remain hot for some time. Warm and sunny weather is always welcome and we want people to enjoy it safety,”