UK Swelters at 38.1°C as Fifth Heatwave of 2026 Grips Britain

The UK recorded its hottest day of the year on Thursday, with temperatures reaching 38.1°C (100.6°F) in west London as an intense heatwave continued to grip Britain and other parts of Europe.

The Met Office said the temperature surpassed the previous 2026 high of 38°C (100.4°F), recorded on June 28. However, it remained below the UK's August temperature record of 38.5°C (101.3°F), set in 2003. Britain is experiencing its fifth heatwave of the year, with the first occurring in May.

The extreme heat has highlighted concerns over the UK's preparedness for prolonged high temperatures. Air conditioning remains relatively uncommon in homes, while several older buildings, including hospitals, lack adequate cooling systems. The Royal College of Nursing said some nurses had collapsed from heat exhaustion while working in hospitals during the latest heatwave.

France has also been hit by severe heat, with temperatures approaching 41°C (106°F) across parts of the country, including Aquitaine in the southwest and the Rhone River valley in the east. The most intense conditions are expected to shift eastward on Friday before easing across Britain and France over the weekend.

The heat has also intensified drought conditions, placing additional pressure on water supplies, agriculture and the environment. Southern Water has applied for a rare drought order that could restrict businesses from nonessential water use, including car washing and filling non-domestic swimming pools. If approved, it would be the first such restriction since 2006.

Meanwhile, wildfire risks remain high as dry conditions persist. England and Wales have recorded 1,017 wildfires this year, already matching last year's record total. Firefighters have been battling blazes in southern England, while France has also faced major fires, including one near Bordeaux that displaced around 250,000 people last month.

Authorities across both countries remain on alert as Europe confronts increasingly frequent and intense periods of extreme heat.The worsening heat is being driven by human-caused climate change, which is making heatwaves more frequent, longer and more intense, while persistent high-pressure systems can trap hot air over Europe.