The U.K. experienced its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, hitting 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London, according to the national weather service, amidst an ongoing period of intense heat across Europe. The Met Office confirmed that this surpassed the previous 2026 high of 38 degrees Celsius recorded in June, although it fell short of the U.K.’s August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius set in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently facing their fifth heatwave of the year, with the initial wave occurring in May. The recent extreme heat has led to a record-breaking four days in 2026 with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius and two days reaching 38 degrees Celsius, matching the total from 2022.
In France, temperatures 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 peak of the intense heat is expected to shift eastwards away from Britain and France on Friday before subsiding over the weekend.
The current summer has highlighted the lack of infrastructure in both Britain and France to cope with such high temperatures. Air conditioning remains uncommon outside of commercial premises, leading to issues such as nurses collapsing from heat exhaustion in hospitals with inadequate cooling systems, as highlighted by the Royal College of Nursing.
The prolonged heatwave has exacerbated drought conditions across Europe, causing crops to wither and rivers to dry up, putting pressure on water resources for households, agriculture, and the environment. In response to the exceptional lack of rain, Southern Water in England’s south has requested a rare drought order to prohibit non-essential water use, such as car washing and filling non-domestic pools, due to the threat to supplies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With the landscape parched and no significant rainfall in sight, authorities in Britain and France remain vigilant for wildfires. In England, firefighters have been battling a blaze in the New Forest, while a total of 1,017 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales this year, matching last year’s record.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is contemplating a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the risk of wildfires amidst the ongoing heatwave. He emphasized the need to discourage outdoor barbecue usage during this period of extreme heat.
French firefighters are also facing challenges due to the relentless summer heat, with some considering strike action to demand additional personnel and resources to manage the escalating frequency of extreme weather events. Recent wildfires in various regions of France have underscored the urgent need for enhanced firefighting capabilities.
The scorching temperatures and drought conditions in Europe portray a stark reality, emphasizing the necessity for proactive measures to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.