Thursday 9 July starts with a simple message for UK drivers: treat the heat as a reason to get organised before you move. The Met Office UK forecast says many areas will see another hot day with prolonged sunshine, while its London and South East forecast says temperatures could reach 35C with light winds offering little relief. That is enough to turn a normal commute, school run or summer trip into an uncomfortable one if the car is not ready.
A five-minute check before you set off is usually easier than dealing with glare, traffic or a hot roadside stop later. Today is a good day to keep the plan simple: check the route, check the car, and make sure the useful kit is actually reachable.
Check the route before the road heats up and the journey feels rushed
National Highways says planned full closures on England's motorways and major A roads often run overnight, and it specifically warns early-morning journeys can still be affected by closures that started the evening before. If you are leaving for work, an airport run or a family visit, do the route check while the car is still parked.
That matters more on a hot day because delays are more tiring when traffic is slow and the cabin is already warming up. A quick route look can help you avoid last-minute lane changes, missed turn-offs and heavier traffic.
Use the official checks and the hot-weather basics together
GOV.UK says you are responsible for making sure your vehicle is always safe to drive, even if it has a current MOT. Its guidance says to check that the windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean, the lights and brakes work, and that washer fluid and tyres are in good order. The Highway Code also reminds drivers to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy before setting off.
For a hot Thursday like this one, combine those official checks with the practical summer basics the AA keeps repeating in its seasonal and heatwave advice. Look at tyre condition and pressures, make sure coolant and oil are not being ignored, top up screenwash, and carry water in the car. Strong sunshine quickly exposes lazy habits such as streaky glass, low washer fluid or a phone battery that is nearly flat before the journey has even begun.
- Wipe the windscreen, mirrors and front side glass before leaving.
- Check tyres for obvious damage or under-inflation.
- Top up screenwash and confirm the wipers are clearing properly.
- Carry water, a charged phone cable and a power bank inside the cabin.
- Keep sunglasses and regular medication easy to reach, not buried in bags.
Hot-weather breakdown prep is mostly about what you can reach quickly
AA advice for this spell of heat has been consistent: carry water, check tyres and coolant, avoid the hottest part of the day where possible, and keep a charged phone in the vehicle. That is practical because hot queues and roadside delays are usually harder than the original journey plan.
This is where a proper roadside kit makes sense. A breakdown kit groups the basics you may want if you need to stop, wait or make the car more visible. It also reduces the chance that your warning triangle, hi-vis item, torch or other small essentials are scattered around the boot. If you carry a window breaker and seatbelt cutter as well, keep that smaller tool in the passenger area rather than packing it deep with luggage.
For family cars, motorway trips or everyday commuting during this hot spell, decide now what belongs in the cabin and what belongs in the boot. Water, phone power and a compact escape tool should stay close to hand. The larger roadside kit should be packed neatly so it can be found without unpacking half the car.
Recommended JUFO kit for today's hot-weather travel
The most useful setup for a very warm journey is usually a proper roadside kit plus one compact tool kept inside the cabin.
JUFO 3-in-1 Roadside Breakdown Kit
A practical choice for keeping core roadside basics organised for commutes, family trips and summer motorway travel.
GBP 17.95
JUFO 2-in-1 Car Window Breaker and Seatbelt Cutter
A compact lower-cost option to keep a window breaker and seatbelt cutter close to the driver seat.
GBP 8.95
A calm five-minute reset is enough for most drivers this morning
Today's official picture is simple: another hot day, up to 35C in London and the South East, light winds, and the usual possibility that overnight closures still affect early departures. That is enough reason to slow down for five minutes before leaving. Check the route, clean the glass, look at the tyres, carry water, and make sure your useful kit is where you can actually reach it.
When the weather is this warm, good preparation is rarely complicated. It is mostly about removing avoidable friction before the road does it for you.
Sources: Met Office UK forecast; Met Office London and South East; National Highways daily closures; GOV.UK vehicle safety checks; The Highway Code; AA heatwave advice; AA summer driving guide.
