The United Kingdom saw its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, hitting 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London, according to the national weather service. This hot spell is part of the ongoing heatwave across Europe. The Met Office reported that this temperature exceeded the previous 2026 high of 38 degrees Celsius recorded in June. However, it fell short of the UK’s August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius set back in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently enduring their fifth heatwave of the year, with the first one occurring in May. In 2026, there have been a record four days with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius. Additionally, there have been two days in 2026 with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius.
France has experienced even higher temperatures, nearing 41 degrees Celsius in various regions, from Aquitaine in the southwest to the Rhone River valley in the east. The extreme heat is expected to shift eastward away from Britain and France by Friday, gradually easing over the weekend.
The lack of adequate cooling infrastructure in both countries has become evident during this summer’s heatwaves. In the UK, nurses have suffered from heat exhaustion due to working in hospitals with insufficient cooling systems. The Royal College of Nursing highlighted the challenges faced by healthcare workers in such conditions.
Furthermore, widespread drought conditions in Europe have severely impacted agriculture and water resources. Southern Water in England has requested a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water usage due to the exceptional lack of rainfall in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
As wildfires remain a significant concern, authorities in Britain and France are on high alert. In England, firefighters have been battling wildfires, with over a thousand recorded incidents this year. While not as severe as in other European countries, these wildfires underscore the need for the UK to adapt to the changing climate.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to prevent wildfires amidst the persistent extreme heat. In France, firefighters are also facing challenges and are considering strike action to demand more resources to combat the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
The ongoing heatwaves and drought conditions in Europe reflect the urgent need for climate adaptation measures and heightened preparedness for extreme weather events.