The United Kingdom registered its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, hitting 38.1 degrees Celsius in west London, according to the national weather service. This occurred as a prolonged period of hot weather continued to affect Europe. The Met Office reported that this temperature exceeded the previous 2026 high of 38 degrees Celsius recorded on June 26 but remained below the UK’s August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius set in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently facing their fifth heat wave of the year, with the first one occurring in May. This latest heatwave has resulted in 2026 having a record four days with temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius or higher, matching the previous year with two days reaching 38 degrees Celsius.
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 expected to shift eastwards away from both Britain and France on Friday and then diminish over the weekend.
The lack of adequate cooling infrastructure, such as air conditioning, is evident in both countries, with many areas outside of shops and offices lacking such amenities. Nurses in Britain have suffered from heat exhaustion while working in hospitals, which are often situated in older buildings without proper cooling systems, according to the Royal College of Nursing.
The dry conditions across Europe have led to widespread droughts, affecting crops and water resources. In Southern England, Southern Water has requested a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water use due to a severe lack of rain threatening water supplies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Authorities in both Britain and France are on high alert for wildfires as the dry conditions persist. In England, firefighters have been battling wildfires, including one in the New Forest, while France has also experienced significant fire outbreaks, prompting firefighters to demand more resources to cope with extreme weather events.
As the extreme heat persists, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to reduce the risk of further wildfires. The need for both countries to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change is becoming increasingly evident.