The United Kingdom experienced its hottest day of the year on Thursday, with temperatures soaring to 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London, according to the national weather service. This heatwave is part of a prolonged period of hot weather across Europe. The Met Office reported that this temperature exceeded the previous high for the year of 38 degrees Celsius recorded on June 26 but remained below the country’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 first one occurring in May. This latest heatwave in 2026 has already seen four days with temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celsius or higher, matching the number from 2022 with two days hitting 38 degrees Celsius.
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. The forecast indicates that the peak of the intense heat is expected to shift eastward away from Britain and France on Friday and gradually diminish over the weekend.
The ongoing summer heatwave has highlighted the lack of infrastructure in both Britain and France to cope with such extreme temperatures. Air conditioning is uncommon outside of commercial establishments and offices. In Britain, healthcare workers have suffered heat exhaustion due to inadequate cooling systems in hospitals housed in aging buildings.
The dry conditions caused by widespread drought across Europe have severely affected crops and water sources. Southern Water in England’s southern region has requested a drought order to restrict non-essential water usage, citing a significant lack of rain threatening water supplies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The decision on this application lies with Environment Secretary Angela Eagle and would be the first ban of its kind since May 2006.
With the landscape increasingly parched and no precipitation in sight, authorities in both countries are on high alert for wildfires. In England, firefighters are battling wildfires, with over 1,000 recorded incidents this year alone. While not as severe as those witnessed in other European countries, these wildfires underscore the need for the UK to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering banning disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires amid the persistent heatwave. He emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the risks associated with using barbecues in such extreme conditions.
In France, firefighters are facing increased pressures due to the demanding summer weather and are contemplating strike action to demand additional personnel and resources to handle the escalating number of extreme weather-related incidents. Recent fires in regions like Pas-de-Calais and Brittany have highlighted the challenges faced by firefighters, with a significant fire near Bordeaux displacing a quarter of a million residents last month.
