Risk of record heatwave in UK is more than twice normal figure, forecasters warn

There are no signs yet that last year’s 40C will be breached again, but meteorologists predict such peaks could soon be the norm

Temperatures have soared above 30C for the first time this year – and meteorologists forecast the chance of Britain experiencing a hot summer is now 45% – 2.3 times the normal figure.

The warning leaves the nation braced for a possible repeat of last year’s record-breaking heatwave which triggered wildfires, disrupted rail transport, closed schools, led to thousands of premature deaths and saw temperatures break the 40C record in the UK for the first time.