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 intense heat across Europe. The Met Office reported that this surpassed the previous 2026 high of 38 degrees Celsius recorded in late June but remained below the country’s August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius from 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently enduring their fifth heatwave of the year, with the initial one occurring in May. The recent scorching conditions have led to four days in 2026 with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius, matching the two days at 38 degrees Celsius recorded in 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 heatwave is expected to shift eastward away from the U.K. and France by Friday before gradually subsiding over the weekend.
The lack of adequate infrastructure to combat such extreme heat is evident in both countries, with air conditioning being a rarity outside of commercial establishments. In the U.K., reports have surfaced of nurses collapsing from heat exhaustion in hospitals, many of which lack proper cooling systems due to outdated infrastructure.
The prolonged heatwave has exacerbated drought conditions across Europe, leading to crop failures and depleted water sources for households, agriculture, and the environment. Southern Water, responsible for water supplies in southern England, has requested a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water use due to critically low rainfall threatening water reserves in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With no relief in sight from the dry spell, authorities in Britain and France are on high alert for potential wildfires, with firefighters battling blazes in various regions. In England and Wales alone, over 1,000 wildfires have been recorded this year, highlighting the urgent need for both countries to adapt to the changing climate conditions.
In response to the heightened wildfire risk, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the threat of further blazes. He emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the risks associated with outdoor barbecues during this period of extreme heat.
French firefighters are also gearing up for more challenges following a relentless summer, with demands for additional resources and staff to address the escalating frequency of extreme weather events. Recent fires in northern France have reignited concerns, prompting calls for enhanced firefighting capabilities to tackle future crises effectively.