The United Kingdom marked its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, hitting 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London, according to the national weather service, amidst a prolonged period of scorching weather across Europe. The Met Office confirmed that this surpassed the previous peak of 38 degrees Celsius recorded on June 26. However, it fell short of the UK’s all-time August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius set in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently enduring their fifth heatwave of the year, with the first one 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 figures 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 most intense heat is predicted to shift eastwards away from Britain and France by Friday and gradually ease over the weekend.
The ongoing summer season has exposed the inadequacy of both countries in handling such extreme heat conditions. The scarcity of air conditioning outside of commercial establishments and offices is a notable challenge. In Britain, reports have emerged of nurses collapsing due to heat exhaustion in hospitals, many of which are housed in outdated buildings lacking proper cooling systems, according to the Royal College of Nursing.
The dry spell in Europe has resulted in widespread drought conditions affecting crops and water levels in rivers. Southern Water in Britain has requested a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water usage in certain areas, citing an extraordinary lack of rainfall threatening water supplies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Environment Secretary will make a decision on this application, potentially the first ban of its kind since 2006.
With the persistent dry weather and no signs of substantial rain in sight, authorities in Britain and France are on high alert for potential wildfires. In Britain, firefighters have been actively combating a wildfire in the New Forest in southern England. England and Wales have already recorded 1,017 wildfires this year, matching the figure from the previous year, underscoring the urgent need for the UK to adapt to the changing climate conditions.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is contemplating a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the risk of further wildfires amid the prevailing extreme heat. He emphasized the importance of discouraging the use of such barbecues outdoors under the current circumstances to prevent potential fire hazards.
In France, firefighters are gearing up for another challenging season following a tumultuous summer, with demands for increased staffing and resources to address the escalating weather-related emergencies. Recent fires in various regions, including Pas-de-Calais and Brittany, as well as a significant blaze near Bordeaux last month that displaced hundreds of thousands of residents, illustrate the gravity of the situation.