'Exceptional heat' is expected across the region today, with temperatures likely in the high 30s in some places and perhaps even exceeding 40°C, after the Met Office issued its first ever Red warning. 

The UK is facing travel disruption, closed schools and health warnings as the country braces for extreme heat.

Temperatures soared into the high 30s in some areas on Monday, while Tuesday is predicted to be even hotter, with temperatures possibly reaching 40C (104F).

That would be a new record for the UK, beating the 38.7C (101.7F) seen in Cambridge in 2019.

Read more: UK heatwave LIVE: Major travel disruption as heat warnings issued

For the North East, the Met Office says: "Another exceptionally hot day and night on Tuesday, with plenty of sunshine by day.

"Generally dry but the odd shower is increasingly likely, particularly in the evening and overnight. Maximum temperature 38 °C."

The rise in temperatures has forced the UK Health Security Agency to issue a level 4 heat-health alert – described as an “emergency” – while the Met Office has issued the UK’s first red extreme heat warning for a large part of England, with both covering Monday and Tuesday.

Reduced railway services and slower running times of trains have been put in place amid fears of rails buckling in the heat, with customers being advised to only travel if necessary on Monday and Tuesday.

Network Rail will close the East Coast Main Line between noon and 8pm on Tuesday for all locations between London King’s Cross and York and Leeds, with passengers warned not to travel.

Here’s your hour-by-hour forecast of the weather in the next two days according to the Met Office:

This weather is based on Darlington as the location

8am - 22°

9am - 25°

10am - 28°

11am - 31°

12pm - 33°

1pm - 35°

2pm - 36°

3pm - 37°

4pm - 33°

5pm - 31°

6pm - 32°

7pm - 31°

8pm - 30°

9pm - 28°

10pm - 26°

11pm - 25°

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