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Hot weather: Rail services disrupted on UK's hottest day Hot weather: Rail services disrupted on UK's hottest day
(35 minutes later)
Commuters are facing delays as soaring temperatures affected train services on the hottest day of the year so far.Commuters are facing delays as soaring temperatures affected train services on the hottest day of the year so far.
Temperatures have already exceeded 30C (86F) in southern England, and are due to pass 35C (95F) in south-east England, 30C in Wales, 29C in Scotland and 28C in Northern Ireland. Temperatures have already exceeded 32.9C (91F) in southern England, and are due to pass 35C (95F) in south-east England, 30C in Wales, 29C in Scotland and 28C in Northern Ireland.
Heat buckled a rail in North Yorkshire, and speed limits are in place on some lines due to "high rail temperatures".Heat buckled a rail in North Yorkshire, and speed limits are in place on some lines due to "high rail temperatures".
The highest reading recorded in the UK in July was 36.7C (98.06F) in 2015.The highest reading recorded in the UK in July was 36.7C (98.06F) in 2015.
It comes as there is a yellow warning of rain from Tuesday evening onwards, except in southern England. The Met Office has also warned of the risk of flash flooding.It comes as there is a yellow warning of rain from Tuesday evening onwards, except in southern England. The Met Office has also warned of the risk of flash flooding.
Track temperaturesTrack temperatures
Some rail companies announced train speeds had been reduced, over fears of hot rails buckling.Some rail companies announced train speeds had been reduced, over fears of hot rails buckling.
Great Western Railway said there will be a series of changes to timetabled services because track temperatures expected to exceed 50C in parts of London later.Great Western Railway said there will be a series of changes to timetabled services because track temperatures expected to exceed 50C in parts of London later.
The train operator said that many of its services would take 10-15 minutes longer because of the hot conditions.The train operator said that many of its services would take 10-15 minutes longer because of the hot conditions.
The high summer temperatures are being blamed for delays on First Transpennine's Express service between Hull and York.The high summer temperatures are being blamed for delays on First Transpennine's Express service between Hull and York.
The company says a rail buckled in the heat at Selby, North Yorkshire, and trains are currently delayed by up to 60 minutes.The company says a rail buckled in the heat at Selby, North Yorkshire, and trains are currently delayed by up to 60 minutes.
The Met Office said at 12:05 BST that 30.9C had been recorded at Heathrow in Greater London. The Met Office said at about 14:30 BST that 32.9C had been recorded at Heathrow in Greater London.
It became the hottest day of the year so far in the UK at about 11:30 BST, when 30.2C was recorded in London's St James' Park, and 30.1C was recorded at Charlwood in Sussex, Heathrow and Northolt in Greater London.It became the hottest day of the year so far in the UK at about 11:30 BST, when 30.2C was recorded in London's St James' Park, and 30.1C was recorded at Charlwood in Sussex, Heathrow and Northolt in Greater London.
On Twitter, #hottestdayoftheyear is trending.On Twitter, #hottestdayoftheyear is trending.
Though many describe the current conditions as a heatwave, the Met Office says it uses the World Meteorological Organization definition - that the daily maximum temperature exceeds the average maximum temperature by 5C for five consecutive days.Though many describe the current conditions as a heatwave, the Met Office says it uses the World Meteorological Organization definition - that the daily maximum temperature exceeds the average maximum temperature by 5C for five consecutive days.
However, it has declared a level three heatwave alert, meaning there is a 90% probability of heatwave conditions until Thursday morning.
London's ambulance service said it had had 300 more calls than usual and Public Health England is urging people to take care.
St John Ambulance has also issued advice, urging people to be aware of headaches, dizziness and cramp, which can be signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The RSPCA said it had also seen a spike in calls from members of the public concerned about dogs left in hot cars, conservatories, sheds and caravans.
Possible thunderstorms
The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was 38.5C (101.3F) in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was 38.5C (101.3F) in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003.
But BBC Weather's Carol Kirkwood warned the high temperatures could spark isolated thunderstorms in Northern Ireland later, which will travel across north and west Wales, northern England and Scotland through the evening and overnight.But BBC Weather's Carol Kirkwood warned the high temperatures could spark isolated thunderstorms in Northern Ireland later, which will travel across north and west Wales, northern England and Scotland through the evening and overnight.
"Some of those could be torrential; we'll see a lot of rain in a short amount of time, lots of lightning flashes and big hail and gusty winds. It's going to be a humid night as well," she said."Some of those could be torrential; we'll see a lot of rain in a short amount of time, lots of lightning flashes and big hail and gusty winds. It's going to be a humid night as well," she said.
Call for legislation
It comes as MPs have proposed employers should be legally forced to provide water, breaks or air conditioning to combat "uncomfortably high" temperatures.It comes as MPs have proposed employers should be legally forced to provide water, breaks or air conditioning to combat "uncomfortably high" temperatures.
There is no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures, but guidance suggests a minimum of 16C (61F), or 13C, if employees are doing physical work.There is no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures, but guidance suggests a minimum of 16C (61F), or 13C, if employees are doing physical work.
There is currently no guidance for maximum working temperature, but Labour MP Ian Mearns and Social Democratic and Labour Party MP Mark Durkan believe there should be a statutory limit. There is currently no guidance for maximum working temperature, but an early day motion tabled in the House of Commons called for a legal limit of 30C or 27C for those doing strenuous work.
The early day motion tabled in the House of Commons by Mr Mearns called for Parliament to note that "workers in the UK lack adequate legal safeguards from working in uncomfortably high temperatures, owing to the lack of a statutory maximum temperature at which employers would have to introduce control measures, such as breaks, access to water or air conditioning".
It called on the government to introduce into law a maximum working temperature of 30C or 27C for those doing strenuous work, beyond which employers "would have a statutory duty to introduce effective control measures".
'Health risks'
Dr Angie Bone, head of extreme events at Public Health England (PHE) said: "Much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense and for most people there's nothing to really worry about.
"But for some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and those with young children, summer heat can bring real health risks.
"This summer we're urging people to keep an eye on those at risk and if you're able, offer help to stay cool and hydrated.
"This is a good time, before the warmer weather arrives, to think about who you may be able to assist and what you may be able to do."
St John Ambulance has also issued advice, urging people to be aware of headaches, dizziness and cramp, which can be signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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