The United Kingdom experienced its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, with west London reaching 38.1 degrees Celsius, according to the national weather service. This comes as Europe continues to face a period of intense hot weather.
The Met Office confirmed that this temperature exceeded the previous high of 38 degrees Celsius recorded on June 26. However, it fell short of the UK’s August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius set in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently undergoing their fifth heatwave of the year, starting from May. In 2026, there have been a record four days with temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius or higher, matching the number from 2022 with two days hitting 38 degrees Celsius.
France has seen even higher temperatures, nearing 41 degrees Celsius in various regions from Aquitaine in the southwest to the Rhone River valley in the east. The most severe heat is expected to move eastward away from both Britain and France on Friday and gradually decrease over the weekend.
The lack of adequate infrastructure to cope with such extreme heat is evident in both countries. Air conditioning remains scarce outside of commercial establishments and offices. In the UK, nurses have suffered from heat exhaustion in hospitals due to the absence of proper cooling systems in aging buildings.
Concerns over drought conditions are widespread across Europe, affecting crops and water sources. Southern Water in England has applied for a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water use in some areas due to a significant lack of rainfall.
Authorities in Britain and France are on high alert for wildfires as the dry conditions persist. In England and Wales, over 1,000 wildfires have been recorded this year, emphasizing the need for adjustments to address the changing climate.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the risk of wildfires amid the ongoing heatwave. In France, firefighters are facing challenges and are even considering strike action to demand more resources to combat extreme weather events.
The summer of 2026 underscores the urgent need for both countries to adapt to the new reality of climate change and extreme weather events.