THE Isle of Wight has been caught up in the UK’s hottest June day on record, with temperatures soaring as a fierce heatwave grips the south.
Today (Wednesday), a provisional peak of 35.7C — recorded in Charlwood, Surrey — broke a record that had stood since the summer of 1976.
The previous high of 35.6C, also matched in 1957, has now been surpassed, according to the Met Office.
The Island has also experienced those weather extremes, with residents and holidaymakers sweltering in unusually hot and humid conditions, with beaches, towns and transport networks feeling the strain.
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The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for extreme heat across parts of England, underlining the seriousness of the conditions.
Across the Isle of Wight, the heat has prompted health advice, concerns for vulnerable residents and disruption to everyday life, including school closures — mirroring the wider picture seen across England and Wales during this intense spell.
The surge in temperatures is being driven by a 'heat dome' sitting over western Europe — trapping hot air and pushing temperatures to exceptional levels across the continent.
Experts say the breaking of a near 50-year record highlights how climate change — largely driven by fossil fuel emissions — is making heatwaves more frequent and more severe, with coastal areas like the Isle of Wight increasingly exposed to these extremes.
Keep up to date by checking our heatwave blog.
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