Image copyright Reuters Image caption People are trying to cool off in any way they can

The UK is basking in its hottest June day in 41 years, with a temperature of 34.5C (94F) recorded at Heathrow.

The Met Office reading at the London airport is the highest in June since the mercury hit 35.6 (96F) in 1976 - the all-time high since records began.

The heatwave has seen five sizzling days in a row during which temperatures in parts of the UK have topped 30C.

But weather warnings have also been issued for rain, with thunderstorms expected in some areas.

BBC weather presenter Chris Fawkes said: "To have these really prolonged spells, you need a block of high pressure that directs other weather fronts away.

Then we get the hot weather coming up from Europe."

Storms are forecast for some areas later in the day, and yellow weather warnings for rain in parts of England, Wales and Scotland are in place until the early hours of Thursday.

Our presenter added: "It is all going to go bang tonight.

"The hot air from the surface will meet with colder air coming in from the Atlantic and we will have some big thunderstorms, gusty winds, heavy rain and, in some places, even hail.

In pictures: How Britain is keeping cool

Glastonbury crowds suffer on hottest day

Summer of 1976

Image copyright Getty Images Image caption A man sunbathing in Kensington Gardens in the summer of 1976

The record-breaking summer of 1976 saw nine weeks of blazing sunshine.

Between June and August, blue skies were a daily occurrence and, for two weeks, temperatures were 32C or above consistently.

Five days saw temperatures exceed 35C.

The hottest day of all was 3 July, with temperatures hitting 35.9C in Cheltenham.

A downside was the worst drought in recorded history for the UK, building up from a warm summer in 1975 and incredibly dry months after.

Rainfall in the winter of 1975 was half of what it normally would be, and by the summer of 1976 crops were affected and there were forest fires in the south of England.

But once the summer had come to a close, autumn saw intense rainfall and natural balance was restored.

The crowd heading to Royal Ascot were hoping for a similar relaxation of dress code to the one race-goers experienced on Tuesday.

Normally men attending the horse racing event in the Royal Enclosure must wear black or grey morning dress with a waistcoat, tie and a top hat.

But the jacket rule was not enforced for the first time in its history, as organisers took a "common sense approach".

Image copyright EPA Image caption Some racegoers were keeping it glitzy at Ascot; others cool and shady.

Whilst some are taking to the parks or the beach to lap up the sunshine, people on the daily commute have been faced with travel disruption.

Greater Anglia Trains has cancelled a number of its services between London and Essex, saying the heat has led to speed restrictions on the lines to stop them from buckling.

For those in more congested areas, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs has also warned there may be pockets of high pollution during the exceptionally hot weather, especially in the East Midlands.

Image copyright EPA Image caption It was hot and dusty work for the revellers arriving at Glastonbury

Emergency services have warned people to keep safe in open water after three people died in separate incidents around the country.

A 15-year-old boy died after getting into difficulty when swimming in a lake with friends in Walsall, West Midlands.

This follows the deaths of a teenager who drowned in a reservoir near Rochdale and an elderly woman who rescue teams tried to save off the coast of Sussex.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Although it is very hot at the moment, the dangers of going into open water cannot be underestimated."

Tips for coping in hot weather

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption BBC colleagues from hot countries give their tips for staying cool

Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. You can open the windows for ventilation when it is cooler.

Stay out of the sun and don't go out between 11:00 and 15:00 (the hottest part of the day) if you're vulnerable to the effects of heat.

Have cool baths or showers, and splash yourself with cool water.

Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water and diluted fruit juice. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine (tea, coffee and cola) or drinks high in sugar.

Wear loose, cool clothing, and a hat and sunglasses if you go outdoors.

Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves.

SOURCE: NHS

How have you been experiencing the recent hot weather in the UK? Send us your pictures to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

You can also contact us in the following ways: </s> Britain is one step from a 'national emergency' as a today could be the hottest June day in 40 years.

Experts think we could top the 35.6C mark that has stood since 1976.

Temperatures had already reached 20 degrees before 7am in the South West, and at Royal Ascot in Berkshire race organisers said they were considering relaxing the strict dress code for the first time.

Music fans arriving at Glastonbury festival on Wednesday will face a sweaty walk to pitch their tents.

Parts of southern Britain will notch 30C-plus for the fifth successive day – but it will be cooler further north, with the threat of thundery showers.

A level three amber warning, one behind a national emergency, has been in place regarding England's sweltering temperatures.

It is the first prolonged run of such blistering days since 1995.

Spokesman Grahame Madge said: “It is likely we’ll have five days in a row with a station somewhere recording 30C or more, from Saturday until tomrrow. Last time we had five days in a row in June above 30C was June 26 to 30, 1995.”

Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze added: “Forecast models show 35C on Wednesday in the South – meaning Wednesday has the potential to be the hottest June day on record.”

But there were warnings the heat and rising pollution could create a toxic smog – and it emerged two people drowned on Monday while trying to cool off.

Monday was the hottest day of the year so far, with 32.5C recorded. Paul Lawson, 16, died while swimming at Greenbooth Reservoir in Rochdale, Gtr Manchester.

And a woman in her 80s died after being pulled from the sea at East Wittering, West Sussex.

The NHS has urged the elderly, children and those with medical conditions to keep cool and hydrated. Asthmatics were urged to take extra care.

A DEFRA spokesman added: “Areas of moderate pollution are likely on Wednesday.”

Meanwhile, surfaces melted yesterday as road temperatures hit 40C and trains were axed as rails buckled.

Cool weather will start moving down from the north tonight, bringing thunderstorms – but temperatures should stay high until September.

Many places across the South saw the mercury hitting at least 30C on Tuesday, with highs of 31.4C, recorded at both Heathrow Airport and Wisley, Surrey, at around 3pm.

In Guildford, Surrey Police said spilt oil had melted into a tarmac road due to the scorching conditions.

A teenage boy drowned in a reservoir at Greenbooth Reservoir, a moorland beauty spot outside Rochdale, Greater Manchester, after reportedly getting into difficulties while swimming in the hot weather.

A woman in her 80s also died after being pulled from the sea at East Wittering beach in West Sussex on Monday afternoon, Sussex Police said.

The NHS has urged the elderly, children and those with medical conditions to keep cool and hydrated during the heatwave.

Those at risk are warned to keep in the shade during the hottest part of the day between 11am and 3pm. 

 barbecue and swim outdoors to cool off. </s> Britain may bask in the hottest June day for 40 years as the heatwave is set to grip the country for a fifth day.

Highs of 34C (93F) are forecast in west London on Wednesday, which would make it the hottest June day since the 35.6C (96F) recorded in Southampton on June 28 1976.

If the mercury surpasses the 31.7C (89F) recorded at Camden Square, north London, in 1936, it will be the hottest summer solstice on record.

It would also make it the fifth consecutive day that temperatures have topped 30C (86F) in the UK, the Met Office said.

The last time the country saw a similar run of hot June weather was more than 20 years ago, from June 26 to June 30 1995.

It was on June 30 of that year that the highest temperature since 1976, 33.8C (92.8F) in Worcester, was recorded.

While the mercury is set to edge higher than that, it is unlikely to beat the 1970's scorcher, the hottest June day since records began.

A level three amber warning, one behind a national emergency, has been in place regarding England's sweltering temperatures.

A yellow weather warning for heavy rain spanning from 3am on Wednesday until 6am on Thursday has also been issued for south-west Scotland, England and Wales.

Bouts of rain, heavy and thundery at times, are expected to move in from the west to initially affect parts of northern England, with potentially 20mm or 30mm of rain falling in one or two hours.

More extensive thunderstorms may then spread South over a larger part of England and Wales from late Wednesday afternoon into the night, leading to torrential downpours, frequent lightning and a chance of hail.

Some houses, businesses and transport routes may be affected by localised flooding, while power supplies in some areas could be temporarily disrupted due to a combination of heavy rain and frequent lightning strikes.

While much of England is covered by the warning, the Met Office said it was likely that many parts would see dry and sunny weather through much of the daytime on Wednesday.

Monday saw the UK's hottest day of the year, with 32.5C (91F) recorded at Hampton Water Works in Greater London.

Many places across the South saw the mercury hitting at least 30C (88.5F) on Tuesday, with highs of 3 1.4C (88.5F), recorded at both Heathrow Airport and Wisley, Surrey, at around 3pm.

In Guildford, Surrey Police said spilt oil had melted into a tarmac road due to the scorching conditions.

A teenage boy drowned in a reservoir at Greenbooth Reservoir, a moorland beauty spot outside Rochdale, Greater Manchester, after reportedly getting into difficulties while swimming in the hot weather.

A woman in her 80s also died after being pulled from the sea at East Wittering beach in West Sussex on Monday afternoon, Sussex Police said.

At Royal Ascot in Berkshire race organisers said they were considering relaxing the strict dress code for the first time.

Music fans arriving at Glastonbury festival on Wednesday will face a sweaty walk to pitch their tents with highs of 30C (86F) expected.

The NHS has urged the elderly, children and those with medical conditions to keep cool and hydrated during the heatwave.

Those at risk are warned to keep in the shade during the hottest part of the day between 11am and 3pm.

Police and Fire services have also been tweeting advice on how to enjoy the sun safely, as Brits get out the barbecue and swim outdoors to cool off. </s> The UK heatwave 2018 continues with scorching temperatures reaching 32C (90F) today as Britain’s hottest summer since 1976 takes its toll before the country could welcome a fortnight of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Before remnants of Hurricane Chris move over the Atlantic to allow for these changeable conditions and the jet stream increases the chance of heavy downpour, Britons will be forced to endure a few more days of sunshine.

The Met Office reported that Sunday, July 16 was the hottest day in England this year and the UK is currently enjoying its 16th consecutive day of temperatures hitting over 28C. The heatwave is forecast throughout July and August. But when is it due to end?

What is causing the UK heatwave?

The Northern Hemisphere has had to put up with record temperatures over the past couple of weeks and has raised concern about whether this is a one-off heatwave or part of a pattern brought on by global warming or climate change.

As reported in The Week, due to large areas of heat pressure, some of the hottest temperatures ever have been recorded with Britain experiencing its longest spell of hot weather for 42 years, causing railway lines to buckle.

Edward Hanna, professor of climate science and meteorology at the University of Lincoln, said: ‘You just can’t link individual events to climate change. There’s a lot of natural variability [in weather] and we’re talking about seasonal changes which are always variable to some degree,’ as quoted on Wired.

However, despite the UK being in a position that sits at the confluence between different air masses and therefore, it being harder to predict the effect of global warming on the country, there is something strange about the heatwave of 2018.

‘They simply can’t predict changes in the jet stream accurately enough over the next few decades. It’s almost getting to drought-like conditions in many parts of the country. That’s actually quite unusual and I think we’re all increasingly aware of that,’ Hanna said.

Ted Shepherd, a climatologist at the University of Reading, said that while it's hard to determine what the heatwave or cold snap last winter means for climate change as a whole, we should expect more extreme weather in the form of hotter summers.

‘It’s clear that there is a long term trend on that. Because of climate change we will get more hot summers in general, and this is a good example of what’s going to come so it’s a good opportunity to think of our resilience and if we’re ready for such a thing,’ Shepherd said.

How long is the heatwave going to last in the UK?

The heatwave will continue throughout July and is thought to end in August, but there will be a brief period of rain to provide relief when a cold front will arrive from Scotland and make its way down south, resulting in temperatures in the low 20s in England, according to The Mirror.

Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: ‘Still above average for the time of year, but perhaps a bit of respite from that intense heat that we've been seeing in places. Just for the east side of the country. The south and central areas are likely to continue with the higher 20s.’

Next week will welcome showers and possible thunderstorms for those in the south of England.

When will the UK heatwave end?

Although the UK will have a long period of sunny weather until August, bookies have predicted that the heatwave could end as early as next week as July enters the record books as the wettest ever.

Forecaster Amy Hodgson of The Weather Channel said: ‘Increased cloud with outbreaks of light rain will affect Ireland and Scotland over the weekend, whilst England and Wales will be dry and mostly sunny.

‘It will be a hot and humid weekend in a south-westerly flow, with maximum temperatures in the mid to high 20s across England and Wales, but cooler across Ireland and Scotland with highs in the high teens to low 20s.’

Alongside this, according to a Met Office forecaster, the weather will be ‘less hot, is the best way to describe next week, but it will still be warm. There will be some sunny spells but there will be a few showers around that could be heavy and thundery.

‘All parts of the UK will see some spells of sunshine, but there is likely to be relatively more in the way of rain or showers at times too. Some of the showers could be heavy or thundery at times.

‘There may also be bands of more persistent rain on occasion which may bring some stronger winds too, especially to northern and western parts. These bands of rain could occur at any time but become more likely later on in the period.

The best of the fine weather and sunny conditions looks to be in the east and southeast of the UK. Temperatures will be close to average in the northwest, but with light winds it will still feel very warm at times across the south and east.’

During the UK heatwave 2018, many parallels have been made with the hot weather that consumed the country during the summer of 1976.

As reported in The Mirror, Met Office forecaster John Hammond said: ‘Hot and dry weather breeds hot and dry weather. This effect was seen in 1976.’

However, the driest summer on record was in 1995, with only 64.7 ml of rain in June, July and August. The average for June this year was 35.4ml, which makes it one of the five warmest Junes in the UK since 1910.

June 2018 was also one of the hottest for more than 300 years, bordering on the top 10 since records began 359 years ago. </s> THE UK has experienced the hottest July day on record and the second hottest since records began.

A scorching 38.1C was recorded in Cambridge beating the previous July record of 36.7C. The highest recorded temperature still remains the 38.5C reached in Faversham, Kent, on August 10, 2003.

Portsmouth topped the thermometer at a sweltering 30C, making it the hottest day in the city this year.

It was a record breaking day across Western Europe with Paris registering a record high temperature of 42.6C. The heatwave also saw Germany set a new national temperature record of 41.5C with the Netherlands also recording its highest ever temperature at 40.7C.

The warm weather brought out sun worshippers with the region’s beaches enjoying a bumper day.

However conditions across Hampshire look set to cool across the weekend with the Met Office forecasting rain for Saturday and a high of 23C with cloudy conditions and a high of 22C on Sunday. </s> Measurement was taken in Cambridge last Thursday and checked over the weekend

The highest temperature ever recorded in the UK – 38.7C – has been confirmed by the Met Office.

The measurement, taken at Cambridge Botanic Garden last Thursday, was subject to quality control and analysis by meteorologists over the weekend. The previous record of 38.5C was recorded in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.

The recording was taken at a Met Office climate observation site at the University of Cambridge. Some observation sites report monthly, meaning there is still a chance that higher temperatures were recorded elsewhere.

Countries across central and western Europe were gripped by exceptionally high temperatures last week, with Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands also breaking national temperature records.

Scientists have said July is on track to be the hottest month ever recorded on Earth, and 2019 is expected to be the second hottest year. The hottest was 2016, which was boosted by an El Niño weather system. Nine of the 10 hottest years ever recorded have occurred since 2000.

Although the recent heatwave cannot unequivocally be attributed to global heating, scientists found it made another European heatwave in June at least five times more likely, and made the lengthy hot spell experienced by the UK last year at least 30 times more likely.

Dr Mark McCarthy, from the Met Office National Climate Information Centre, said: “Historically UK summer heatwaves would typically tend to peak in the low 30s celsius, with extreme events reaching the mid-30s. Climate change has increased the likelihood and severity of heatwave episodes across Europe, which will have also increased the risks of a 40C temperature event in the UK.”

Last week’s heatwave was caused by hot air from north Africa being pulled up from continental Europe because of high pressure to the east of the UK and low pressure to the west.

Prof Peter Stott, from the Met Office, said: “Although the average rise of global temperature is around 1C compared with pre-industrial times, we mustn’t forget that the rise isn’t even across the globe as some regions have warmed more than others.

“Temperatures in parts of north Africa, for example, have risen by around 2C. This can have a marked effect on UK weather because when the weather patterns like we saw last week bring air from this region to our shores it can bring a stronger signal of climate change with it too, boosting temperatures.

“The UK receives influences from other neighbouring regions and as many of these regions are warming at a faster rate than the UK, our climate can receive a greater boost from climate change.”

Many scientists believe the jet stream is weakening, which could help explain the increase in extended weather spells both hot and cold, such as the summer heatwave last year and the “beast from the east” in March 2018.

Bob Ward, the director of policy at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change, said: “Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more intense due to climate change, and the risk of heat-related deaths is increasing. Sadly this trend will continue for the next few decades and so we will have to adapt more quickly, for instance by ensuring our buildings do not dangerously overheat.

“However, we can expect new records to be set regularly. It is inevitable that we will eventually see a temperature of more than 40C in the UK.”

More extreme weather is expected to hit the UK this week, with thunderstorms expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Over the weekend heavy downpours left parts of the north-west flooded, including Greater Manchester where commuters awoke to road closures and diverted trains after two weeks’ worth of rain fell in 24 hours.

Eight flood alerts remained in place across parts of the West Midlands and north-west England on Monday evening.

Kate Sambrook, a climate scientist at the University of Leeds, said high temperatures like those seen last week could become the new normal.

“Year after year we are seeing more and more extreme events, not only in the UK but worldwide. Last week temperature records were not just broken, they were smashed by 1C or more, which is unprecedented,” she said.

“We need to act now to urgently and decisively bring greenhouse emissions to zero. We must halve emissions in 10 years and reach net zero in 30. If we don’t, we can expect global temperatures 3.7C warmer by 2100 and still rising.” </s> After a June heat wave smashed national temperature records in France and broke historic June records across Europe, a mass of hot air has returned to the continent.

On Wednesday, the Netherlands Meteorological Institute reported that the nation's all-time temperature record, which stood for the last 75 years, fell as temperatures hit 101.8 degrees Fahrenheit (38.8 C).

Belgium broke its national heat record too, as temperatures reached 103.8 F (39.9 C), reported David Dehenauw, the head of forecasting at the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium. And the the German Meteorological Service announced its highest temperature in recorded history, of 104.9 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 C).

The Germany weather agency noted that this brand new record might last for one day.

That's because there's substantially more heat to come. On Thursday, the UK Met Office expects temperatures to reach over 102 F (39 C), easily toppling the nation's previous temperature record by nearly 1 degree F. Meanwhile, France's weather agency, Météo-France, predicts temperatures could reach 107.6 F (42 C) in Paris. This would smash the previous Parisian record of 40.4 C, set over 70 years ago. (Paris has temperature records going back to 1658, when Louis the Great reigned over the country.)

While heat waves are natural occurrences — typically caused by persistent weather patterns that allow big zones of high pressure to settle over a region and bring clear skies and warm air — Earth's relentlessly rising levels of background warming amplify heat waves, like an athlete pumping performance-enhancing drugs. This means that historic temperatures are expected to fall, have been falling, and will continue to fall.

"Global temperatures are increasing due to climate change and this means that Europe can expect more record-breaking heatwaves in the future," Len Shaffrey, a climate scientist at the University of Reading in the UK, told Mashable during June's heat wave.

Boosted global temperatures have at least doubled the probability of heat extremes in Europe, similar to last summer's scorching events, Shaffrey added.

Over the last 100 years, Europe has experienced an increase in heat waves. Since 1500 AD, the region's five hottest summers have occurred in 2018, 2016, 2010, 2003, and 2002.

European warming is right in line with the overall warming trend seen around the globe: Since 2001,18 of the last 19 years have been the warmest on record.

June 2019 rounded out as the warmest June in 139 years of record keeping. July could soon follow in its footsteps, meaning this July is in the running to be the hottest month ever recorded.

UPDATE: July 24, 2019, 3:44 p.m. EDT: This story was updated to include Germany's temperature record. </s> Wednesday (July 22 ) was the hottest day in June since 1976, the Met Office has said.

Temperatures reached an astonishing 34C at Heathrow, making it not only the hottest day of the year so far, but the hottest day in more than 40 years.

The temperature peaked at around 4pm, with the Met Office recording Heathrow hitting a sweltering 34.5C.

And after six long, hot, sticky days of 30C+ temperatures , rain is finally on the way - and it looks set to hit Surrey and the south east hard on Thursday morning.

The Met Office on Wednesday issued a yellow warning of rain for Surrey and south east England - and it could also hail a few thunderstorms too.

After this week's scorching conditions, Wednesday (June 21) is expected to be the last day of what has been the longest June hot spell since 1976.

Indeed, shortly after 3pm, the Met Office confirmed temperatures had reached 33.9C at Heathrow - the hottest June day since 1976.

The warning is in place between 6am and 1pm on Thursday (June 22) as a band of heavy, thundery showers moves across parts of the south east after tracking down the country.

The Met Office said not everywhere will see these showers, but where they do occur, there is also the potential for heavy downpours as well as a bit of thunder and lightning.

Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: “The high pressure that has dominated our weather of late is starting to move away, allowing fresher air in from the west."

Mr Willington continued: "A cold front that will pass through the UK will mark an end to the hot spell of weather in the south and bring cloudier skies and lower temperatures.

"There is a pulse of thundery showers moving eastwards which will bring some intense downpours for some.”

Keep up to date with the latest news from around the county via the free Get Surrey app.

You can set up your app to see all the latest news and events from your area, plus receive push notifications for breaking news.

Available to download from the App Store or Google Play for Android . </s> Clouds in the sky above the ground during the second day of the test match between England and Ireland at Lord’s cricket ground in London, Thursday, July 25, 2019. Weather forecasters predict the UK could encounter the hottest July day on record later Thursday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

BRUSSELS (AP) — The Latest on Europe’s heat wave (all times local):

Britain’s weather service says a provisional temperature of 38.7 degrees Celsius (101.7degrees Fahrenheit) was recorded Thursday, which if confirmed would be the highest ever recorded in the U.K.

The Met Office says the temperature was recorded at Cambridge University Botanic Garden in eastern England.

It says “quality control and analysis over the next few days” will determine whether the reading becomes official.

The existing record for the U.K. is 38.5 Celsius (101.3 Fahrenheit), was set in August 2003.

Temperature records have fallen across Europe this week as a suffocating heat wave swept up from the Sahara.

Britain was back to rain and lower temperatures on Friday.

People hoping to catch some sleep and maybe a cooling sea breeze during Europe’s heat wave got a rude awakening in a Dutch seaside suburb.

Police in The Hague said Friday that they handed out 140-euro ($155) fines overnight to 13 people sleeping on the beach and cafe terraces in Scheveningen.

Police say some of the sleepers were napping in the sand and getting in the way of local authority workers trying to clean up the beach before another sweltering day Friday.

The U.N. weather agency is voicing “concern” that the hot air which produced a record-breaking heat wave across much of western Europe this week is headed toward Greenland and that it could lead to increased melting of ice.

Heat records in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany tumbled in recent days as hot air surged from North Africa and Spain.

World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman Clare Nullis said in Geneva that forecasts suggest the air is heading towards Greenland.

This, she said, “will result in high temperatures and consequently enhanced melting of the Greenland ice sheet.”

Nullis said ice has been melting at high levels over the last few weeks in Greenland.

Travelers are facing a second day of disruption in Britain after record breaking July temperatures gave way to thunderstorms.

Network Rail, which oversees the majority of Britain’s railway network, is advising commuters to “only travel if their journey is absolutely necessary,” after Thursday’s disturbances left trains in haphazard locations and a fire damaged networks in the north.

The Met office says the mercury reached 38.1 C (100.6 F) in Cambridge on Thursday, only the second time temperatures over 100 F have ever been recorded in the UK.

The heat eased Friday, but Heathrow, Europe’s biggest airport, was forced to cancel or delay flights amid severe weather conditions. The airport admits they don’t know how many flights have been affected.

British Airways also announced that “severe thunderstorms are causing significant delays and cancellations to our operation in and out of London.”

Belgium suffered a first death as a direct result of the record-breaking heat wave when a woman was found dead near her caravan close to the beach.

The 66-year-old woman was found by a neighbor late Thursday afternoon after she had apparently been basking in the blazing sun. The incident happened in Middelkerke on the Belgian coast as temperatures rose in the region to over 40 degrees Celsius.

Middelkerke police commissioner Frank Delva told The Associated Press that the death is “very clearly linked to the heat.”

Emergency services rushed to the scene but could not resuscitate the woman.

On Thursday, Belgium endured, like many parts of Western Europe, its hottest day on record when the temperature rose to 41.8 C in Begijnendijk, 30 kilometers (20 miles) east of Brussels.
The United Kingdom experiences its first early summer heat wave in over 20 years, and the highest recorded June temperatures in over 40 years with a reading of 34.5C (94F) recorded at Heathrow Airport.