Hitchin heatwave: Record temperatures set for today

Our area is set for the hottest day on record today, Tuesday (July 19), with temperatures forecast to reach 42C in places.

The news comes as provisional figures from the Met Office show last night (Monday, July 18) was the warmest evening on record - with the mercury failing to drop below 25C throughout the night.

The extreme heaths also caused plenty of problems for travellers with Thameslink and Govia cancelling all services through Hitchin from Kings Cross - with the rail provider issuing a 'Do Not Travel' notice. No trains will be running through Stevenage on the East Coast Mainline.

As Nub News reported, planes were delayed at Luton Airport on Monday when part of the runway melted.

The extreme temperatures have already seen Hitchin Town FC shift their pre-season clash with Boreham Wood from nearby Top Field back 24 hours from today, to Wednesday evening as the barometer continues to rise. 

The hot weather has also seen The Priory School on Bedford Road gear up to close this lunchtime.

There were also huge queues at Hitchin's outdoor pool, with waits of more than an hour reported to gain access to the site on Fishponds Road.