Fears of 1976-style drought and crop failure as hottest ever June day hits 36.1C

It eclipsed the previous June high of 35.6C set during the historic 1976 heatwave that brought water shortages across the UK

Britain roasted through its hottest June day ever as temperatures smashed the infamous record of 1976. The mercury hit a blistering 35.8C in Wiggonholt, West Sussex.

It eclipsed the previous June high of 35.6C set during the historic heatwave that brought drought, crop failures and water shortages across the UK. Now forecasters fear Britain could be heading for another landmark weather event.

The Met Office has extended its highest red heat warning until 9pm on Thursday night. The alert – only used when weather poses a risk to life – covers London, the South East, South West, East Midlands, West Midlands, East Anglia and Wales.

The Met Office’s chief scientist Professor Stephen Belcher said: “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering.”

The extreme heat came close to overwhelming Britain’s power network.

The National Energy System Operator issued a rare summer warning after fears millions of fans and air-conditioning units being switched on could leave electricity supplies under severe pressure.

Energy bosses warned of “tight margins” on the grid as households desperately searched for relief from the heat.

The alert was eventually withdrawn at the eleventh hour after supplies improved, but such warnings are normally associated with freezing winter weather rather than a June heatwave.

The record-breaking temperatures also caused travel chaos, with rail passengers urged not to travel unless absolutely necessary as operators slashed services and imposed speed restrictions.

Hundreds of schools were closed or partially shut as staff were forced to take action on sweatbox classrooms.

Many scrapped uniforms and moved lessons to cooler areas.

And forecasters warned the heatwave could end with a bang.

A thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of the South West after a violent storm earlier this week unleashed almost 30,000 lightning strikes and sparked a house fire in Bristol.

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