Heat records were broken on Wednesday afternoon as temperatures soared across southern England.
The mercury rose to 36.1 deg C, surpassing the previous record of 35.6 deg C set in 1976.
As Britons swelter, schools are closing and public transport is slowing. Cooling items are also flying off shelves.
The Met Office has warned that exceptionally warm temperatures are expected to continue through the middle of the week.