The United Kingdom experienced its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, hitting 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London, according to the national weather service, amid a prolonged period of hot weather across Europe. The Met Office reported that this surpassed 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 in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently in the midst of their fifth heatwave of the year, with the first one occurring in May. The recent extreme heat has resulted in a record number of four days in 2026 with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius. Additionally, 2026 has seen two days matching the 38-degree Celsius mark.
In France, temperatures have soared even higher, approaching 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 most intense heat is expected to move eastward away from Britain and France on Friday and gradually diminish over the weekend.
The ongoing heatwave has underscored the lack of adequate infrastructure in both Britain and France to cope with such extreme temperatures. Air conditioning remains scarce outside of commercial establishments and offices. In hospitals across Britain, nurses have been suffering from heat exhaustion due to inadequate cooling systems in aging buildings, as highlighted by the Royal College of Nursing.
The prolonged dry spell has led to widespread drought conditions in both countries, resulting in depleted crops and dwindling river levels. Southern Water, responsible for water supplies in southern England, has applied for a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water usage, citing an unprecedented lack of rainfall threatening water availability in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Environment Secretary Angela Eagle will make the final decision on the application, potentially marking the first such ban since 2006.
With the landscape drying up and no substantial rain in sight, authorities in Britain and France are on high alert for wildfires. In England, firefighters have been battling wildfires across the country, with 1,017 wildfires recorded so far this year, matching last year’s record. While not as severe as those witnessed in other European countries, these incidents emphasize the urgent need for the UK to adapt to the changing climate.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is contemplating a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the risk of wildfires amid the ongoing heatwave. The French firefighters are also facing challenges, with demands for increased resources and staff to handle the escalating frequency of extreme weather events. Wildfires have erupted in various regions, including one in Pas-de-Calais and another in Brittany, showcasing the broader impact of climate change in Europe.
