The United Kingdom witnessed its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, hitting 38.1 degrees Celsius in western London, according to the national weather service, amidst a prolonged period of hot weather across Europe. The Met Office noted that this temperature exceeded the previous high of 38 degrees Celsius recorded on June 26. However, it remained below the August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius set in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently grappling with their fifth heatwave of the year, with the first one being recorded in May. This recent intense heatwave marks 2026 with a record of four days reaching temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius or higher, and it has equaled 2022 with two days hitting 38 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, temperatures in France have soared even higher, nearing 41 degrees Celsius in various regions from Aquitaine in the southwest to the Rhone River valley in the east, as reported by the national weather service. The forecast indicates that the most severe heat is expected to shift eastward away from Britain and France on Friday, gradually easing over the weekend.
The scorching summer conditions have exposed the lack of preparation in both Britain and France to handle such extreme heat levels. Air conditioning remains scarce outside of commercial establishments and offices. In the UK, healthcare workers have succumbed to heat exhaustion while on duty in hospitals, many of which are housed in outdated buildings lacking proper cooling systems, as highlighted by the Royal College of Nursing.
Moreover, like several parts of Europe, Britain and France are facing widespread drought conditions that have adversely affected crops and depleted water sources, placing strain on water supplies for households, agriculture, and the environment. Southern Water in Britain has sought a rare drought order to prohibit non-essential water use, citing an unprecedented lack of rainfall endangering supplies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With the land parched and no significant rainfall in sight, authorities in both countries are on high alert for wildfires. In Britain, firefighters are actively combating a wildfire in the New Forest in southern England, as the nation’s landscape transitions from lush greenery to sandy brown due to the persistent heat.
While the wildfire occurrences in England and Wales this year are not as extensive as those witnessed in other countries like France, Greece, and Spain, they underscore the urgent need for the UK to adapt to the changing climate reality.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is contemplating imposing a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the risk of further wildfires amid the ongoing extreme heat in parts of the UK. French firefighters are also facing challenging circumstances, with some considering a strike to demand additional personnel and resources to handle the escalating weather-related emergencies.