Meteorologists are warning, however, that the mercury is likely to climb even higher on Tuesday, with a real possibility of reaching 41 degrees Celsius in London, setting a new all-time record.
London Thanasis Gavos
38.1 degrees Celsius was the highest temperature recorded in Britain by 5pm local time on Monday, specifically in Shandon Downham, Suffolk County in southern England.
The record for the highest temperature remains the 38.7 degrees Celsius recorded in Cambridge three years ago.
Meteorologists are warning, however, that the mercury is likely to climb even higher on Tuesday, with a real possibility of reaching 41 degrees Celsius in London, setting a new all-time record.
A record temperature was set in Wales today at 37.1C, well above the previous record of 35.2C in August 1990.
The high temperatures caused problems in infrastructure, mainly in airports, with the surface of the runways melting.
One such incident was reported at Brize Norton RAF, while Luton Airport suspended flights due to defects in the surface of the aircraft taxiways. Flights to Luton are diverted to but airports serving London.
Trains that were running their scheduled routes were running at a speed limit from midday, as incidents of expansion and bending of railway tracks were reported.
Meanwhile, at least four people, including two children aged 13 and 16, died of drowning in the last 24 hours till Monday evening when they took a dip in rivers and lakes to cool off in various parts of the country. .
Forecasters are warning of high temperatures on Monday night too, possibly as high as 29C in London.
Weather conditions will begin to return to more normal levels starting Tuesday night.
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