Hottest temperature of 38.1C recorded at Kew Gardens

Scorched grass at Homefield Recreation Ground, Thursday 13 August

Thursday the hottest day of the year so far

Kew Gardens has recorded the hottest temperature in England on what has been the hottest day of the year so far.

The botanic gardens recorded a temperature of 38.1C today, making it the fifth hottest day on record.

A report published on Tuesday by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England warned that the UK’s historic parks and gardens, including Kew Gardens and Chiswick House Gardens were increasingly vulnerable to climate change.

READ ALSO: Chiswick House named in national report that warns historic gardens are unprepared for extreme weather

READ ALSO: Over 50% Kew’s trees could be at risk says new report on the Botanic Gardens

Two years ago, The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew published a survey of its 11,000 trees and concluded that over 50% of its tree species could be vulnerable by 2090 because of climate change. Much-loved species such as oak, beech and holly are all at risk in the UK.

Acton Green Common, Thursday 13 August

This summer on course to be the hottest since records began

We are in the fifth heatwave this year and the Met Office thinks this summer is on course to be the UK’s hottest since records began.

READ ALSO: June heat record broken again, and no it’s not just another hot summer like 1976

An amber heat health alert, warning of significant detrimental impacts to health and social care services is in place across the whole of England until 9.00 pm on Friday.

Two passengers were seriously injured and 20 people were taken to hospital when a train derailed at Lewes in Sussex. While it is too early for investigators to say what caused the accident, pictures show the track beyond the train was distorted, and onw possibility for the derailment being considered is that they were buckled by the heat.

Chiswick Back Common, Thursday 13 August