Temperatures in the town centre reached a blistering 35°C by Monday afternoon and yesterday the mercury had soared to a searing 39°C – a new record.
This was hotter than Kingston in Jamaica, Madrid in Spain, Athens in Greece and the Western Sahara.
The extreme heat led the Met Office to issue a Red National Severe Weather Warning as temperatures in parts of the UK were predicted to be over 40°C.
The weather body said the hot weather was caused by high pressure over the UK, with southerly air flow from the continent developing over the weekend that had allowed very high temperatures to start spreading northwards.
Professor Penny Endersby, Chief Executive said: “This is the first time we have issued a Red National Severe Weather Warning for extreme heat and the first-time 40°C has been forecast in the UK.
“In this country we’re used to treating a hot spell as a chance to go and play in in the sun. This is not that sort of weather.”
The searing temperatures have led to a raft of warnings being issued across Tunbridge Wells and the wider region.
Train operator Southeastern asked passengers not to travel unless necessary and to expect delays as trains were operating under speed restrictions due to fears tracks could buckle due to the heat.
A spokesman said: “Weather warnings for extreme heat are in place for Monday and Tuesday and speed restrictions will be in place across our network. Services may be disrupted and you should only travel if necessary.”
Network Rail said the number of passengers using major stations across Britain on Monday was around 20 per cent down compared to a week earlier as commuter numbers dropped as people opted to work from home during the worst of the heatwave.
South East Water were also asking people to be mindful of the amount of water they were using as hot temperatures pushed up demand beyond levels expected for the time of year.
And a number of schools in Tunbridge Wells allowed students to wear PE kit instead of uniform during the hottest days yesterday and Monday while some schools in the area cancelled sports days.
The temperature on Tuesday was the hottest ever recorded in Tunbridge Wells as the heatwave broke records across the UK.
‘We’re used to treating a hot spell as a chance to go and play in in the sun – this is not that sort of weather’
Previously, the highest temperature recorded before this week in the borough was in Frittenden in 2020 when the mercury reached 34.5°C in the summer of that year.
Before that, the highest temperature seen in Tunbridge Wells was in May 1944 when it reached 32.8°C.
While there is no official weather station in the town, with the closest ones being in Biggin Hill and Maidstone, the Met office suggested yesterday’s temperatures were set to break all records, so the Times took a thermometer into the centre of town to find out.
Temperatures had reached a blistering 35.5°C on The Pantiles during Monday afternoon, and by Tuesday the mercury had soared to 39°C outside the Town Hall, which made it by far the hottest day on record for the Royal Town.
Temperature records were also smashed across the country.
The previous highest ever UK temperature recorded in the UK was at Cambridge University Botanic Garden on July 25, 2019, when the mercury hit 38.7°C.
This record was broken by midday on Tuesday when the temperature reached 39.1C in Charlwood, Surrey, and it only got hotter throughout the day with London Heathrow reporting a temperature of 40.2C before 1pm yesterday.
Monday night was also the hottest on record with temperatures not dropping below 25°C in some places.
Locally, the extreme weather saw the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) – the county’s emergency response team – to appeal to people to check on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be less able to look after themselves in the high temperatures of this week.
Kent County Council (KCC) Director of Public Health, Dr. Anjan Ghosh who is leading the KRF response, said: “We are expecting record temperatures and although we have not seen a level four alert before, the important thing is that we all prepare appropriately to deal with the extreme heat.
“It is vital that people think carefully about what they need to do to protect themselves, their family and particularly vulnerable people who might need extra assistance.
“Elderly people, those with underlying health conditions and those with young children can all be at particular risk. Remember though, these levels of heat can present risks for all of us so be prepared. Avoid travelling if you can, especially in the heat of the day.”
KCC also urged residents to call 111 to find medical support – pharmacies and urgent treatment centres – which could take the pressure off emergency services.
Additional contingency support was in place at the ambulance service, such as more call handlers and extra working hours, but health bosses warned the service would be hard pushed in the face of the extreme heat.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Emergency and Planning and Response team were providing cold water for ambulance, fire and police crews during the hot weather to ensure emergency service workers were kept cool.
While Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) took to social media to warn people about potential fires that could be caused in the extreme heat by BBQs, bonfires and disposed cigarette ends.
Meanwhile, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council implemented its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, to protect the rough sleepers.
“We are already in a good position with many verified rough sleepers in temporary accommodation. Outreach workers are supporting the process,” said the Council.
The local authority also announced it was shifting working hours for waste collection with bin crews starting work earlier at 5am to avoid the worst of the heat. The weather is expected to cool from today, with thunderstorms also predicted for parts of the South East.
