The United Kingdom marked its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, hitting 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London, as confirmed by the national weather service. This occurred during a period of intense hot weather affecting Europe. The Met Office reported that this temperature exceeded the previous 2026 high of 38 degrees Celsius recorded on June 26 but remained below the UK’s August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius from 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently facing their fifth heat wave of the year, with the first one occurring in May. This latest heatwave has resulted in a record-breaking four days in 2026 with temperatures at 36 degrees Celsius or above. Additionally, the year has matched 2022 with two days hitting 38 degrees Celsius.
In France, temperatures have soared even higher, nearing 41 degrees Celsius in several regions from Aquitaine in the southwest to the Rhone River valley in the east, according to the national weather service. The most intense heat is expected to shift eastward away from Britain and France on Friday, gradually easing over the weekend.
The ongoing summer has highlighted the lack of preparation in both Britain and France for such extreme heat. Air conditioning remains scarce outside of commercial establishments and offices. In the UK, reports have emerged of nurses collapsing from heat exhaustion while working in hospitals housed in aging structures lacking proper cooling systems.
The dry conditions across Europe have led to widespread droughts, causing crops to wither and rivers to dry up, putting immense strain on water resources for households, agriculture, and the environment. Southern Water in England has applied for a rare drought order in response to the exceptional lack of rain, aiming to restrict non-essential water usage in certain areas.
With no significant rainfall in sight, authorities in Britain and France are on high alert for wildfires. In the UK, firefighters have been battling a wildfire in the New Forest, while England and Wales have already recorded 1,017 wildfires this year, matching last year’s record number.
In response to the escalating risk of wildfires, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering banning disposable barbecues to mitigate the threat posed by the ongoing heatwave. Meanwhile, French firefighters are mobilizing to address the increased frequency of extreme weather events, with some regions experiencing fires far from the typical fire-prone areas.
