The hottest day of the year was recorded in the United Kingdom on Thursday, with temperatures reaching 38.1 C in west London, according to the national weather service. This marks a new high for 2026, surpassing the previous record of 38 C set on June 26. Despite this, it fell short of the country’s August record of 38.5 C established in 2003.
Both the U.K. and France are currently in the midst of their fifth heat wave of the year, with the first one occurring in May. In 2026, there have been a record four days with temperatures exceeding 36 C and two days reaching 38 C. Meanwhile, France has experienced even higher temperatures, approaching 41 C in various regions from Aquitaine to the Rhone River valley.
The extreme heat is expected to shift eastward away from the U.K. and France by Friday, gradually diminishing over the weekend. However, the prolonged heatwave has exposed the lack of preparedness in both countries to handle such high temperatures. Instances of nurses collapsing from heat exhaustion in hospitals due to inadequate cooling systems have been reported.
The scorching temperatures have also led to widespread drought conditions across Europe, affecting crops, rivers, and water resources. Southern England’s Southern Water has applied for a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water use as a result of the exceptional lack of rainfall.
As the dry conditions persist, the risk of wildfires remains high. In England, firefighters have been combating numerous blazes, including one in the New Forest. While the number of wildfires in England and Wales this year matches last year’s total, it underscores the urgency for the U.K. to adapt to the changing climate.
In response to the heightened wildfire risk, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to prevent further incidents. With extreme heat continuing to impact various regions, the focus remains on mitigating the effects of the ongoing heatwave.