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. This marked a new peak for 2026, surpassing the previous 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 in the midst of their fifth heatwave of the year, with the first one occurring in May. This latest period of extreme heat has seen a record four days in 2026 with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius, matching the two days that reached 38 degrees Celsius 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. The intense heat is expected to shift eastward away from Britain and France by Friday and gradually diminish over the weekend.
The ongoing summer heatwaves have exposed the lack of infrastructure in both countries to cope with such extreme temperatures. Air conditioning remains scarce outside of commercial establishments and offices. In the UK, reports of nurses collapsing from heat exhaustion in hospitals highlight the inadequate cooling systems in aged buildings.
The dry conditions across Europe, including in Britain and France, have led to widespread droughts, impacting crops and water sources. In response to the water scarcity, Southern Water in England has sought a drought order to restrict non-essential water usage in certain areas due to the exceptional lack of rainfall.
With the persistent dry weather, the risk of wildfires remains high in both countries. Firefighters in the UK have been battling wildfires, including one in the New Forest, while England and Wales have already recorded over a thousand wildfires this year. Authorities are on alert for potential blazes, emphasizing the need for adaptation to 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. The extreme weather events have also prompted French firefighters to demand more resources and personnel to address the increasing challenges posed by climate change.