Friday 26 June begins with another serious hot-weather setup for many UK drivers. The Met Office London and South East forecast says today will be exceptionally hot and humid, with prolonged hazy sunshine, a chance of thunderstorms and a maximum temperature of 38C. The national Met Office forecast also shows a Red weather warning in force for Friday and says the extreme heat shifts east across England today. For drivers, that makes the cooler part of the morning the best time to get the car ready before the cabin and traffic feel harder work.
Why this morning matters more than a normal summer day
Very hot weather does not need a dramatic incident to create a poor journey. Heat builds up inside a parked car quickly, and bright sunshine makes every old smear on the windscreen more obvious. Add slower traffic, school runs, delivery stops or a station drop-off and small annoyances become distractions. A short check now is often easier than trying to solve a problem once the hottest part of the day arrives.
Use the GOV.UK roadworthy check as your baseline
GOV.UK says you are responsible for making sure your vehicle is always safe to drive, even if it has a current MOT certificate. It also says that every time you drive you should check the windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean, all lights work and the brakes work. Your handbook should guide routine checks such as washer fluid and tyre condition. On a day like this, those basics matter more because glare, dust, warm roads and extra luggage make weak points easier to notice.
- Clean the windscreen, mirrors and front side windows so hazy sunshine does not exaggerate old marks.
- Top up screenwash if it is low, because dry dust and insect marks become more obvious in hot weather.
- Check tyres if the car is carrying children, holiday bags, work kit or extra passengers.
- Make sure water, sunglasses, a phone cable, a power bank and any essential medication are inside the cabin before you leave.
- Move loose bottles, shopping bags and charging leads away from the driver footwell and front seats.
- Check fuel or battery range early, especially if queues or a diversion could extend the trip.
Plan for heat first, then for thunderstorms later
The Met Office warning update says this is the first time the current warning system has seen Red extreme-heat warnings on three consecutive days in the UK. It also says very hot daytime temperatures are paired with high humidity, which increases discomfort and fatigue. The same regional forecast for today adds that thunderstorms may return from the south during the evening. In practical terms, that means the smart move this morning is to travel with the car already organised: water within reach, the route checked, and the important items kept accessible inside the cabin.
Remember that early routes can still be affected by overnight closures
National Highways says planned full closures on England's motorways and major A roads generally run from 8pm to 6am, and it reminds drivers that early-morning trips may still be affected by closures that started the evening before. That matters today because even a short diversion feels more tiring when the weather is already hot and humid before breakfast. A one-minute route check can stop you driving straight into a closure, a hold-up near roadworks or a longer detour than the day really needs.
Keep your escape tool inside the cabin, not under the luggage
If you carry a window breaker and seatbelt cutter, store it where it can actually be reached. The same rule applies whether the day brings traffic, a breakdown stop or a thunderstorm later on. A compact single tool close to the front seat works well for one regular driver. A two-pack is the more practical option if you want one near the driver and another in a second car or closer to family passengers.
Recommended JUFO tools for today's hot-weather journeys
Keep the tool inside the cabin so it stays reachable if heat, queues or a diversion changes the journey.
JUFO 2 Pack Car Window Breaker and Seatbelt Cutter
Best for keeping one tool near the driver and another in a second car or closer to family passengers.
From GBP 16.99
JUFO 2-in-1 Car Window Breaker and Seatbelt Cutter
A compact single-car option to keep close to hand for commuting, school runs and everyday local driving.
From GBP 8.95
Do the easy work now while the day is still manageable
Clear the glass, check the tyres, place the useful kit inside the cabin and look at the route before leaving. On a 38C day with humid air and a Red warning in force, those small actions make the car feel calmer and the journey easier to manage.
Sources: Met Office London and South East forecast updated 04:00 BST on 26 June 2026; Met Office UK forecast updated 03:00 UTC on 26 June 2026; Met Office Red Warning update published 25 June 2026; National Highways daily closure report last updated 25 June 2026 15:30; GOV.UK vehicle safety checks.
