UK weather: Heatwave temperatures to soar above 30 degrees as Britain heads for its hottest night

• Tuesday night set to be Britain's hottest on record

• Record of UK's hottest day - 38.5C - under threat

• Why are all weather apps different and which one should you trust? ​

• The best beer gardens in London for the heatwave ​

• How men should tackle heatwave dressing at the office - a four-step guide

• 53 summer workwear updates to nail dressing for this week's heatwave 

Temperatures rose to 31C(87.8F) at Heathrow today as forecasters predict tonight could be the hottest night on record in Britain.

The hottest ever UK night time temperature was 23.9C (75F), which was recorded in Brighton on August 3 1990. But the Met Office say it could remain as high as 24C (75.2F) on Tuesday night for parts of South East England.

Night-time temperatures are measured by taking the minimum temperature across a 24-hour period, as the lowest point tends to fall during the early hours of the morning.

During the day, parts of south-east England could reach as high as 34C on Tuesday, and the mercury will continue to rise as the week rolls on.

By Thursday, the all-time UK temperature record of 38.5C recorded in Faversham in August 2003 could be under threat.

It is expected to reach at least 37C in the south east of England, which would beat the current July record of 36.7C set at Heathrow in 2015.

6:28PM

Binmen to start their day early tomorrow to beat the ongoing heat

In Oxford, the city's binmen will start their day earlier tomorrow to beat the heatwave.

The city council said tonight: "As the mercury soars, Oxford's bin collections are starting early for the rest of this week, starting at 6am.

"The decision by Oxford Direct Services to bring collections forward has been made to protect the collection teams from heavy work in the extreme heat that is predicted for the next few days. Collections will begin at 6am immediately and the early starts will continue for the rest of the week.

Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Customer Focused Services, said "We've made the decision to start earlier for the welfare of our collection teams. There's a lot of heavy lifting and miles of walking in a collection shift, so we want to avoid the hottest part of the day to stop them overheating, which is a real health risk."

5:37PM

M.C.C relax their dress code ahead of England v. Ireland Test Match due to hot weather

As England and Ireland get ready to play their first Test Match at Lord’s tomorrow, the M.C.C have relaxed their dress code due to the warm weather.

Jackets, which are usually a requirement, do not need to be worn for the first two days of the test.

They said: "In light of the abnormally warm temperatures forecast for the first two days of the Ireland Test Match, the Chief Executive & Secretary has decided to dispense with the requirement of the Dress Regulations to wear jackets to the Ground and in the Pavilion on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th July."

"Please take care in the sun, especially during the middle of the day. Water bottles may be filled from the many water fountains located around the Ground. If you or your guests feel unwell, please speak to the nearest steward, who will arrange for medical assistance if necessary."

They added that should the hot weather continue, this dispensation may be extended.

4:54PM

The 21 best songs for a heatwave

Summer is a time to feel good. Martin Chilton picks the best 20 songs about summer that will bring you musical sunshine.

4:33PM

Soaring temperatures brings jury deliberations to a halt

Jamie Johnson reports  

In Oxford, the soaring temperature has brought jury deliberations to a halt in the trial of Ben Field, accused of murdering an elderly lecturer in an elaborate plot to inherit his wealth.

At around 3pm, the jury at the city’s crown court complained that they could not concentrate on their task, despite having all the windows open and a fan blowing in their room.

To make matters worse, the air conditioning in the court building is also not working, and may not be fixed for a number of days.

As temperatures reached 33 degrees celsius outside, the judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, allowed them to take the rest of the day off, mindful of the older members of the jury who were “particularly vulnerable” to the heat.

The jury has been out since last Monday and has not yet reached its verdict on ten separate charges for three defendants.

Tomorrow, the court is trying to arrange a different conference room for the jurors, in the hope that the hot weather does not hinder their deliberations any more.

In the case, Mr Field, of Wellingborough Road, Olney, Buckinghamshire, denies murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, and possessing an article for use in fraud. He has admitted four charges of fraud and two of burglary.

His brother Tom Field, 24, of the same address, denies a single charge of fraud.

Martyn Smith, 32, of Penhalvean, Redruth, Cornwall, denies murder, conspiracy to murder, two charges of fraud and one of burglary.

4:14PM

People take to social media to get them through the heat

People are using humour to get them through the sweltering weather.

British psychotherapist and author, Philippa Perry took to Twitter with some tongue-in-cheek advise for cat owners.

Meanwhile, a spoof Twitter account HeatwaveUk offers advice to Britons struggling with the surge in temperatures. In a series of funny tweets it addressed the weather head on.

One read: "If you're in a meeting at work today, that room is going to be mega stuffy and you're in danger of falling asleep.

"So take a fresh salmon with you and give it to your best workmate. When they see you drifting off, they can slap you across the face with it".

Another account Official Weather UK run by an amateur forecaster suggested filling up a wheelie bin with water if a pool is not at your disposal.

3:40PM

How to treat heatstroke

St John Ambulance are sharing simple, but life saving first aid tips to help keep communities safe in the sun.

Dr Lynn Thomas, Medical Director at St John Ambulance said: “Extreme heat can be very dangerous, particularly for the very young and old.

“Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are two of the most serious problems that can develop when the mercury soars but by being prepared you can spot the early warning signs, such as headache and dizziness. Knowing what action to take, could mean you might be the difference between life and death in an emergency in your community.”

Long periods in the sun can take its toll after a while and can lead to heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is caused by a loss of salt and water from the body, usually through excessive sweating. It develops slowly and usually happens to people who aren’t used hot, humid weather.

Heatstroke is even more serious than heat exhaustion and can be life-threatening.

3:27PM

Should heatwaves be named like storms?

Heatwaves should be named in the same way as winter storms to better warn people of the dangers of sweltering heat, it has been urged.

The Government's advisory Committee on Climate Change recently warned that the UK was not prepared for a future of more heatwaves, with more action needed to prevent overheating in homes, hospitals and schools, and that even vulnerable people did not consider themselves at risk.

Last summer's heatwaves led to 863 excess deaths, Public Health England has estimated.

Bob Ward, director of policy at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change, said the Met Office should start naming heatwaves, like it has for winter storms since 2015, to help warn people about severe weather.

Mr Ward said: "Far more people have died from recent heatwaves than from storms, so it should be uncontroversial to start applying names to both.

"The Government and its agencies, including the Met Office, must lead the way in communicating the growing dangers of heatwaves and other impacts of climate change, so that the British public are better informed and can protect themselves."

In 2015, the Met Office started to name storms that were likely to have a significant impact in order to “aid the communication of approaching severe weather”.

Heatwaves do not currently receive official names, though a heatwave across parts of Europe during summer 2017 was nicknamed ‘Lucifer’.

Should heatwaves be named like storms? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

3:11PM

Police called out to dogs left in cars despite warnings

Cambridgeshire Constabulary have been called out to two incidents today of dogs left in cars by their owners. On both occasions the dogs' owners returned and were given stern words of advice by an officer.

A spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary said: “So far this month we have had 14 calls relating to dogs being left in hot cars, including the above three yesterday and today – thought to be two of the hottest days of the year so far.

“If it’s 22 degrees outside, the temperature inside a car can reach 47 degrees within the hour.

“Our message can't be much clearer - dogs die in hot cars. Please never leave your dog in the car on a hot day. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call 999.”

2:37PM

Don't jump into cold water warn RNLI

The RNLI sent out a Tweet warning people in the UK and Ireland about jumping into cold water to cool off during the heatwave.

They said: "Water temperatures are still low enough to cause cold water shock, which can leave you panicking and gasping for air. If you do get into trouble, you need to #FloatToLive."

2:28PM

Leave water out for 'thirsty wildlife visitors' say Badger Trust

The Badger Trust have said you should leave out bowls of water for thirsty visitors, including this badger who took a dip in an attempt to cool down.

Hedgehogs may also come looking for water, leave a bowl out for them to ensure they stay hydrated.

2:17PM

Why are all weather apps different and which one should you trust?

Some weather forecasts are universal, to a degree, but even in this most extraordinary of weeks there are points of contention between different institutions.

The Met Office and the BBC seem to believe that the skies will be clear until showers on Friday. Norwegian app Yr is predicting light showers amid searing heat on Thursday afternoon. But AccuWeather is forecasting a thunderstorm as early as Wednesday morning, followed by a clear Thursday and more thunder on Friday.

So who to trust? And why are they so different anyway? You can read Tom Hoggins' investigation here.

2:12PM

The best beer gardens in London

There really isn't much better than a trip to the beer garden on a hot day (or, in London-dwelling actuality, any day it isn't raining). In fact, some might call it a necessity.

Unfortunately, there never seems to be one nearby when the sun comes out. We've all been there; hops on the mind, sunglasses on the nose, and nothing but a crowded pavement full of after-work pint-swiggers in sight.

You deserve better, so we've made it our duty to find better. Here is our definitive list of London's best beer gardens - North, South, West and East.

2:03PM

What to wear to work during the heatwave

Sweaty tube journeys and offices lacking sufficient air conditioning might leave you feeling deflated when opening your wardrobe during the heatwave but our team of fashion experts have you covered.

From pretty printed midi skirts to mood-lifting coloured accessories, here are the new season buys that will have you looking forward to getting dressed for work.

Year-on-year The Telegraph's men’s style editor receives two questions; what to wear to weddings, and what on earth to wear to the office when the mercury rises.

Because while women can wear breezy but corporate-appropriate dresses and open-toed shoes, men struggle when heatwaves hit.

1:51PM

Temperatures hit 31C at Heathrow

The Met Office confirms a recorded temperature of 31C(87.8F) at Heathrow today

1:41PM

Memories from the 1976 heatwave

The heatwave has got us reminiscing about the weather of 1976. The year of Harold Wilson and Jim Callaghan’s governments, of Concorde and the Cod War, was also the hottest in the UK since records began. Rainless days multiplied and temperatures climbed, finally reached a pitiless 35.9 degrees in Cheltenham.

You can share your memories of summers past in the comments below.

1:32PM

The Environment Agency deploys drones to catch people stealing water

The Environment Agency is deploying drones to catch anyone thinking about stealing water from rivers and lakes.

The decision comes after last years hot and dry summer prompted some farmers in rural areas to abstract water illegally for their crops, the Government department has said. The 2019  rising temperatures had seen a corresponding rise in the pilfering of water.

Andrew Chapman, Environment Planning Specialist for the Environment Agency in East Anglia, said: "This will be the first time we have ever used drones for this purpose. The majority of irrigators do operate within their licence conditions. However, last year a minority of farmers did not play by the rules and severely restricted other people's ability to irrigate their crops."

A third party would be employed to operate the drone, a spokesman for the Environment Agency said, which connected to a web portal, so that an Environment Agency staff member can view the images from a computer and direct the device to fly over certain locations.

The spokesman added: "If irrigators are found to be abstracting illegally, enforcement action will be taken. This can include written warnings, civil sanctions, referral to the Rural Payments Agency or prosecution."

1:19PM

Network Rail launch specialist teams to deal with tracks buckling

Network Rail have launched specialist teams to asses their railways and ensure passenger safety as temperatures are expected to soar.

Their 'extreme weather action teams' (EWATs) will visit locations across the country to asses the impact of the rising temperatures on the UK's rail network.

Network Rail tracks have a "stress-free" temperature of 27C, but the mercury set to rise to 38C in parts of south east England on Thursday.

When the steel tracks heat up they can expand and buckle, so speed restrictions must be put in place to ease the pressure.

Network Rail have said they will advise if any restrictions will be enforced.

James Nattrass, director of incident management, at Network Rail said: “Keeping passengers safe and moving are our top priorities during this heatwave. That’s why we sometimes have to put speed restriction on to prevent our rails, that can be over 20oC higher than air temperatures, from buckling which can derail a train and cause huge delays.”

12:49PM

How to help someone sleeping rough during the heatwave

Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity has issued five tips for helping someone you see sleeping rough during the hot weather.

From offering food, water, hats, sunglasses and sun cream to speaking to your local council, you can check out their advice below.

12:15PM

How to keep a person with dementia safe during hot weather

With record temperatures set to be reached this week, Dementia UK, the provider of specialist dementia support, has updated its guidance on how to keep a person with dementia safe during hot weather.

Due to communication difficulties a person with dementia may not be able to explain that they’re dehydrated or feeling unwell because of the heat.

They could also forget to wear loose, cool clothing as well as hats and sunglasses.

Dr. Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO at Dementia UK offers updated guidance on looking after your loved ones this week:

• Arrange for friends, neighbours or relatives to provide extra checks on a person with dementia. They should be aware of the possible signs to look out for including: headaches, dizziness, increased confusion, pale and sweaty skin as well as excessive thirst. Always seek medical advice if you have concerns.

• Dehydration can be a big issue for a person with dementia as they may not remember to drink fluids throughout the day. Ensure that any cups or glasses are nearest to the hand they write with and they can easily see them. Try not to include pieces of fruit within the water as this can sometimes be confusing and off-putting for a person with dementia. If the person prefers to drink fruit squashes add this to the water as this can make it more appealing for the person and easier for them to see. Regularly prompting the person to drink can also prevent dehydration.

• Some medication can be affected by a person’s dehydration and this may lead to a drop in blood pressure. This can lead to falls or fainting. You can avoid this by keeping track of when the person with dementia takes their medication. Sticking to the same schedule every day and ensuring the medication is taken with water is advisable.

• Sometimes a person with dementia may get confused with what clothing to wear during the heat. They may wear fleeces, thick coats or jackets instead of cool and loose fitting clothing. In situations like this, you can look at buying a similar style of clothing made out of a much thinner natural fabric.

• There can also be cases where someone with dementia refuses to change their clothes during long periods of heat. This can result in personal hygiene issues and even infections. Sometimes people with dementia like to have a routine such as wanting to wear the same clothes all the time. To maintain good standards of hygiene, you can buy multiple sets of the same clothing and the dirty clothing can then be removed when the person goes to bed at night. The next morning, you can lay out a clean set of clothing ready for them to wear.

Dr Hayo added: “Our Admiral Nurses specialise in practical advice to help people with dementia and their families get the best quality of life. For more information, call our Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678."

11:33AM

How to sleep when it's 'too hot'

Across the UK people will likely find themselves feeling a little uncomfortable as they head to bed tonight. Leading sleep expert, James Wilson, aka The Sleep Geek offers solutions for those unbearable nights.

1. Ensure there is a good airflow through the house. Open windows on both sides to allow the air to pass through.

2. Close blinds and curtains in rooms that are exposed to direct sunlight. The shade will help the room stay cooler.

3. Have a lukewarm bath or shower before bed to encourage your core temperature to drop, or alternatively put lukewarm water in a hot water bottle and place the soles of your feet on it.

4. If using a fan, place a bowl of chilled water in front of it to cool the stream of air it's pushing around the room.

5. Don’t put bedding or pyjamas in the fridge-freezer, funnily enough, some people do this (although who has a freezer big enough to put a duvet in?). It will add more moisture to your sleep environment and that moisture will heat up and make you even warmer.

6. If you are using  a cotton sheet ensure it is as low a thread count as possible as the higher the thread count, the less breathable it is. Cotton is ok in hot weather, although it isn’t that great at wicking the moisture away; I would suggest using bamboo. It has longer fibres so breathes better and doesn’t lint so people with skin conditions are not as aggravated – it is also lighter on the body.

7. Finally don’t worry too much about it. The biggest thing that prevents us from sleeping in hot weather is the thought “I am too hot to sleep”. My advice would be to accept that you might not sleep quite as well, but that it will probably be over in a couple of days and your body will more than likely make up for it by giving you better quality sleep once the temperature drops.

11:12AM

How to protect your skin as temperatures soar

Take a quick glance around your office this week and you may spot a few telltale signs of the heatwave Britain is currently basking in; extra freckles, t-shirt tans and reddy brown shoulders. All from a few harmless days spent out in the sunshine, right?

Wrong. “While a small percentage of the population are dutifully applying sun cream every time they head out in the sun, the vast majority of the UK are taking every opportunity to bake themselves, entirely oblivious to the damage they're inflicting upon their skin,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Nick Lowe, a professor of dermatology at UCLA in California. “Mostly because they believe it won’t really do them any harm.”

Maria Lally takes a look at how you can protect your skin during this week's rays.

11:00AM

The dos and don'ts of the UK heatwave

While wet t-shirt competitions may not be your style there are more subtle ways to keep cool this week. Try soaking a pair of socks in cold water or eating a spicy curry.

We've rounded up our favourite tricks that will keep you from breaking a sweat during the heatwave.  Just whatever you do, don't try to fan yourself.

10:08AM

Driving today? Here's what to do to avoid a sun-related accident

The latest Department for Transport statistics show 2,324 vehicle collisions a year are caused by dazzling sun, of which 449 are serious and 25 fatal.

So if your great summer getaway starts today - here's what to do to avoid becoming a statistic, according to LeaseCar.UK.

1. Use the visors: Sun visors are there to block dazzling sunlight and provide safer driving conditions, so remember to make full use of yours when necessary – including on the passenger side of your car. On most vehicles they can also unclip and spin 90 degrees to shield side windows, in case the sunlight is coming from a different direction.

2. Slow down: If the sun, or any other weather conditions, are affecting your vision behind the wheel and ability to travel safely, it’s vital to drive slower. This allows you a greater reaction time should a problem arise and offers an opportunity to consider if, when and where it’s worth pulling over, to wait for conditions to improve.

3. Back off: If glare from sunshine is reducing visibility on the road, it’s wise to leave an increased following distance to the vehicle in front of you. Struggling to see other cars’ actions could be extremely hazardous, but allowing additional time and space to interpret the road ahead should reduce the risk of danger.

4. Clean inside and out: Before setting off on a journey on a bright summer’s day, make sure your windscreen and mirrors are completely clean and free from smears or dirt that could be made highly visible and obstructive with direct sunlight shining on them. Keep screen wash topped up too. Removing clutter from the dashboard could also aid drivers vision and safety when travelling in potentially dazzling sun, as materials such as paper, glass and food packaging can reflect sunlight and cause problems. Give surfaces a wipe as well.

5. Fix cracks: Any cracks, scratches or pits on your windscreen or even your bonnet could cause sunlight to scatter and distort your view of the road. Before driving in summery conditions, ensure your vehicle is in top shape and invest in a professional once over if you have any doubts.

6. Get glasses: A pair of polarised glasses could help reduce the sun’s glare and improve your safety on the roads this summer without the darkening effect of traditional sun glasses. Polarised lenses contain a filter that blocks out intense reflected light, making them an ideal aid to driving in potentially dazzling weather conditions and worth keeping in your vehicle at all times.

9:41AM

What exactly is a heatwave?

A heatwave is a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather, but the thresholds vary from place to place.

In the majority of Wales, the south-west and north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, this threshold is 25C, for the Midlands, south-east Wales, and parts of the south-west, it is 26C, the home counties and the south-east of England's threshold is 27C and for London it is 28C.

When the temperature reaches these thresholds and stay there for three days - it is considered a heatwave.

The Met Office explains in further detail in this video:

9:21AM

How to cope in hot weather - top tips

If, like me, you struggled to sleep last night, here are a few tips that might help you beat the burn tonight.

Have any nuggets of advice? Leave your tips in the comments section below this article.

9:14AM

How hot will it be on your street today?

Use this interactive weather map to zoom in to where you are today and see how hot it is likely to get.

8:57AM

Leaving dog in car for 'just minutes' could kill them

A dog welfare charity has advised owners to not leave pets alone in a hot car seat even for a few minuets as it can prove fatal.

Dogs Trust says on a 22C (71.6F) day, the temperature inside a car could rise by 11C in just 10 minutes and because dogs cannot cool down the same way as humans, the heat can quickly become dangerous for them.

Earlier this week an American Bulldog Finlay was left fighting for his life after his body temperature soared to a life-threatening 42.2C (108F) during recent hot weather.

The one-year-old - who was born with three legs - became overheated when his owner took him to a park in Glasgow.

The charity has advised not walking dogs at the hottest times of the day. But it said early morning or later in the evening walks are best accompanied with water.

It has also said tarmac can get "very hot in the sun" and advises owners "to check it with their hand before letting dogs walk on it so they don't burn their paws".

Other tips that have been given are avoiding long car journeys, using a sun blind for shade, avoiding congested roads as much as possible and taking regular breaks and having plenty of water on board.