The United Kingdom registered 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 scorching weather across Europe. The Met Office confirmed that this temperature exceeded the previous 2026 peak of 38 degrees Celsius recorded in late June, although it fell short of the UK’s August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius established in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently in the midst of their fifth heatwave this year, with the initial one occurring in May. The recent extreme heat has led to 2026 now having a record four days with temperatures soaring to 36 degrees Celsius or higher, matching the two days of 38 degrees Celsius witnessed in 2022.
Meanwhile, in France, temperatures have climbed 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 most intense heat is projected to shift eastward away from the UK and France by Friday and gradually diminish over the weekend.
The ongoing summer season has underscored the lack of adequate preparedness in both Britain and France to handle such extreme heat levels. Notably, air conditioning remains a rarity outside of commercial establishments and offices.
In the UK, healthcare workers, including nurses, have experienced heat-related health issues while working in hospitals, many of which are housed in aging infrastructures lacking sufficient cooling systems, as highlighted by the Royal College of Nursing on Thursday.
The persistent drought conditions across Europe have severely impacted agriculture, leading to withered crops and depleted water resources for households and the environment. Southern Water in Britain has applied for a rare drought order to prohibit non-essential water usage in certain areas due to the exceptional lack of rainfall threatening water supplies.
With the dry conditions prevailing and no significant rain in sight, authorities in both Britain and France remain vigilant against the heightened risk of wildfires. In England, firefighters have been actively combating wildfires, with 1,017 incidents recorded this year, matching last year’s record numbers.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham of the UK has expressed willingness to consider banning disposable barbecues amid the escalating risk of wildfires due to the prevailing extreme heat. French firefighters are also facing challenges, with calls for increased staffing and resources to manage the escalating frequency of extreme weather events and wildfires.