The United Kingdom experienced its highest temperature of the year on Thursday, with west London recording 38.1 degrees Celsius, according to the national weather service. This marked a new peak for 2026, surpassing the previous high of 38 degrees Celsius in late June. However, it fell short of the country’s all-time August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius set in 2003.
Both the U.K. and France are currently grappling with their fifth heatwave of the year, starting as early as May. The scorching temperatures this year have resulted in a record number of days with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius and matched the previous year with two days hitting 38 degrees Celsius.
In France, temperatures have soared even higher, reaching close to 41 degrees Celsius in various regions from Aquitaine in the southwest to the Rhone River valley in the east. The intense heatwave is expected to gradually move away from the U.K. and France by Friday and ease over the weekend.
The ongoing heatwave has exposed the lack of readiness in both countries to handle such extreme heat conditions. The scarcity of air conditioning outside of commercial establishments and offices has posed challenges. In the U.K., healthcare workers have suffered from heat exhaustion due to inadequate cooling in aging hospital buildings.
The dry spell in Europe has led to widespread drought, causing crops to wither and rivers to run dry. Southern Water in England has requested a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water usage, citing a severe lack of rain threatening water supplies in specific areas.
With the persistent dry conditions, authorities in the U.K. and France are on high alert for wildfires. England and Wales have already recorded over a thousand wildfires this year, emphasizing the need for adaptation to the changing climate.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is contemplating a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the risk of wildfires amid the prevailing extreme heat. French firefighters are also facing challenges, with some considering strike action to demand additional resources to combat the escalating number of fire incidents across the country.