The United Kingdom experienced 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 hot weather across Europe. The Met Office confirmed that this surpassed the previous 2026 high of 38 degrees Celsius recorded in June. However, it fell short of the UK’s August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius set in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently under their fifth heatwave of the year, with the first occurring in May. The scorching temperatures have led to a record-breaking four days in 2026 with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius and two days reaching 38 degrees Celsius, matching the levels seen in 2022.
Meanwhile, France has experienced 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 extreme heat is expected to move away from the UK and France by Friday and gradually diminish over the weekend.
The ongoing heatwave has exposed the lack of preparedness in both countries to handle such extreme temperatures, with air conditioning being a rarity outside of commercial establishments. In the UK, healthcare workers have suffered heat-related health issues due to inadequate cooling in hospitals housed in aging structures, as reported by the Royal College of Nursing.
The persisting drought conditions in many parts of Europe, including Britain and France, have led to dried-up crops and depleted rivers, straining water resources for various purposes. Southern Water in the UK has applied for a rare drought order to prohibit non-essential water usage in specific regions due to the exceptional lack of rainfall threatening water supplies.
Given the dry conditions and absence of significant rainfall, authorities in Britain and France are on high alert for wildfires. In the UK, firefighters are battling wildfires, including one in the New Forest, while England and Wales have already recorded 1,017 wildfires this year, matching last year’s record.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the wildfire risk during the ongoing heatwave. In France, firefighters are facing challenges following a demanding summer and are considering strike action to demand additional resources to manage the escalating weather-related emergencies.
The summer of 2026 has underscored the urgent need for both countries to adapt to the new reality of increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves and associated challenges.