Everything you need to know about the hot weather in Essex

2 hours ago

Shivani ChaudhariEssex

News image — People from across Essex and beyond have been flocking to Southend-on-Sea's beaches

PA Media A man and woman lie face down on a mat, on a sandy beach, with their backs exposed to the sun. Two cans of orange fizzy drink are sitting on the sand. — People from across Essex and beyond have been flocking to Southend-on-Sea's beaches

A red weather warning for extreme heat remains in place for parts of Essex, with highs of up to 35C (95F) forecast for the next two days.

The county has already felt the strain of the heatwave, with schools closing their gates for the day and events being cancelled.

Roads and rails

Greater Anglia A white, red and grey Greater Anglia train with its doors closed at a railway station. — Greater Anglia has warned passengers to travel only if "absolutely necessary"

Train provider Greater Anglia has warned of some planned cancellations due to the heat affecting morning and evening peak time services through Essex and Suffolk, as well as the Stansted Express.

At 08:00 BST, the rail operator's website said 65 services had been cancelled.

Passengers were asked to travel only if "absolutely necessary".

The heat often causes overhead lines to expand and sag down towards the tracks.

Rail company c2c, which runs trains out of London into south Essex, also announced planned cancellations.

The heat does not appear to have had a direct impact on the county's roads yet, but north of the border, Suffolk Highways says it was monitoring the A12 dual carriageway after pictures appeared to show it had started to melt at Wickham Market.

School closures

Richard Daniel/BBC Rebecca Loader stands in front of a noticeboard with various pieces of paper on display, including a navy blue circle with yellow writing which says Stanway Primary, with a trio of leaves in the middle. Rebecca has blonde hair and is wearing a blue and white floral top with a necklace — Rebecca Loader said some of her pupils were sick and suffered nosebleeds because of the heat

Essex County Council is updating a list of schools it knows are closing or partially closing due to the hot weather. Many more are shutting their gates at lunchtime.

On Wednesday, Stanway Primary School near Colchester said it was shutting at lunchtime after pupils were physically sick and even suffered nosebleeds due to the heat.

Head teacher Rebecca Loader said the classrooms were poorly ventilated and she called for more government funding to "future-proof" school buildings.

What is the local advice?

Simon Dedman/BBC A man wearing black framed glasses while looking at the camera. He is wearing a white buttoned shirt with the top button open. He is also wearing a black blazer and has a stethoscope around his neck — Dr Matthew Sweeting urged people to stay out of the sun between 11:00 and 15:00

Dr Matthew Sweeting, executive medial director at the NHS Essex Integrated Care Board, encouraged people to take simple precautions to stay cool and safe.

This includes staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, wear loose light-coloured clothing and never leave children or animals in parked vehicles.

Local authorities and agencies have issued similar advice.

Meanwhile, Southend-on-Sea City Council confirmed the Armed Forces Day parade due to take place on Saturday had been called off.

A shortened open-air service of thanksgiving will be held at Victoria Plaza at 10:45.

It can't be bad news for everyone?

CPM BENFLEET/BBC WEATHER WATCHERS Three topless men are in an inflatable blue paddling pool, positioned outside a bricked industrial building, which is painted white and red. There are various cars and vans parked. — A car business in Benfleet shared this photo with us

It's not all bad news though and some businesses have been rushed off their feet.

Kieren Moss works at an electrics firm in Maldon and said his team ran out of air conditioning units within an hour of new stock arriving.

"We can't get [more] for love nor money," he said.

Fellow air con salesman Dean Franklin, who won The Apprentice in 2025, said his company had more than 500 calls on Wednesday - 400 more than usual.

"We have been overwhelmed by the amount of inquiries. Honestly, it's just been ridiculous," he told BBC Essex.

Where is the hottest place in Essex?

Walking Tractor/BBC Weather Watchers A sandy-coloured elephant walks in an open enclosure. There is a rocky wall in the foreground, and trees in the background. — The temperature is more familiar for some of the residents at Colchester Zoo

The red weather warning covers the west of Essex, but the hottest place in the county could be Writtle near Chelmsford, which is due to hit 35C (95F) on Friday.

Writtle, which has its own weather station, is often recorded as the hottest location in the region due partly because of its low-lying and in-land position.

For anyone looking for respite from the heat, the Tendring coastline in north Essex looks to be the coolest part of the county, with the mercury in Clacton-on-Sea expected to hit 23C on Thursday although it is set to reach 29C on Friday.