By Emeka Blast 
Scotland Hits Record 32.2°C Amid UK Heatwave Peak
The UK’s third heatwave of 2025 reached its zenith on Saturday, with Scotland recording its hottest day in over two years at 32.2°C in Aviemore, marking only the seventh time since 1961 that the country has surpassed 32°C. The scorching temperatures, which also saw Wales hit 33.1°C in Cardiff’s Bute Park and Northern Ireland reach 30°C in Magilligan, have triggered widespread disruption, including wildfires, train cancellations, and hosepipe bans affecting millions across Yorkshire, Kent, and Sussex.
The Met Office confirmed that Scotland’s 32.2°C reading in Aviemore, driven by the Foehn effect—where air warms after descending mountains—surpassed the previous 2025 high of 29.1°C in Grangemouth. Northern Ireland marked its warmest day since July 2022, and Wales set a new 2025 record, eclipsing Friday’s 32.4°C in Cardiff. England, while sweltering with highs of 33°C in Ross-on-Wye, fell short of its 2025 record of 35.8°C set in Kent earlier this month. Amber heat health alerts remain in place for the Midlands, southern, and eastern England until Monday, warning of potential health risks, particularly for those over 65 or with medical conditions.
A wildfire near Woking in Surrey, fueled by dry conditions, continued to burn into Saturday, with 70 firefighters battling flames across 20 hectares of heathland. The Surrey Fire and Rescue Service urged residents to avoid open flames, as smoke disrupted traffic on the M25. In Scotland, an ongoing blaze in Perth prompted an “extreme” wildfire warning from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, with risks heightened by the driest eastern conditions since 1973. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency noted eight rivers facing water scarcity, exacerbating environmental strain.
Transport chaos ensued, with rail services in Wales canceled after heat damaged tracks, stranding thousands, including fans heading to a Stereophonics concert in Cardiff. One commuter described Aberdare station as “a nightmare” due to overcrowding and heat. National Rail warned of further disruptions from expanding tracks and overheating power lines. The Snowdon24 race in Eryri was halted due to “extreme heat,” with organizers prioritizing runner safety. At Wimbledon, where temperatures hit 31°C during Iga Swiatek’s victory over Amanda Anisimova in the Women’s Final, medical teams treated spectators for heat-related issues, narrowly missing the 1976 record of 31.2°C.
Climate scientists attribute the heatwave’s intensity to human-induced warming, with Professor Ed Hawkins of Reading University noting that heatwaves are now 3-4°C warmer than pre-industrial levels due to global warming. The Met Office highlighted that June 2025 was England’s warmest on record, with a mean temperature of 16.9°C, following the UK’s warmest and sunniest spring. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that such extreme weather is becoming more frequent, with oceans absorbing over 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gases, straining their regulatory capacity.
Public sentiment on X reflected concern and humor, with @LassLesley joking about the heat posing risks to “gingers” in Scotland, while @AnotherSapien called the 32°C reading “obscene” for its rarity. Hosepipe bans in Yorkshire, Kent, and Sussex, affecting over seven million, have sparked frustration, with South East Water reporting record demand since May. The heatwave is expected to ease on Monday as cooler Atlantic air brings temperatures to the mid-20s, with rain forecast for eastern England, offering relief after a sweltering weekend.
