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 marks the second time in 2026 that temperatures soared above 38 degrees Celsius, with the previous peak recorded on June 26. However, it fell short of the country’s all-time August high of 38.5 degrees Celsius set in 2003.
Both Britain and France are in the midst of their fifth heatwave this year, starting as early as May. The scorching conditions have resulted in a record-breaking four days in 2026 with temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius and two days reaching 38 degrees Celsius, matching the figures from 2022.
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 extreme heat is expected to shift eastward away from the UK and France on Friday and gradually diminish over the weekend.
The current heatwave has exposed the lack of infrastructure in both countries to cope with such extreme heat. Air conditioning remains a luxury outside of commercial establishments and offices. In the UK, healthcare workers have suffered heat-related illnesses due to inadequate cooling systems in aging hospital facilities.
The prolonged heatwave has exacerbated drought conditions across Europe, leading to crop failures and depleted water sources for households, agriculture, and the environment. Southern Water in England has applied for a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water use in response to the exceptional dry spell threatening supplies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With the persistent dry weather, the risk of wildfires is high in Britain and France. In the UK, firefighters are battling blazes, including a wildfire in the New Forest, while the number of wildfires recorded in England and Wales has matched last year’s record-breaking total of 1,017 incidents.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the risk of wildfires as the heatwave persists. The extreme weather conditions have prompted French firefighters to demand additional resources and staff to handle the escalating frequency of wildfires, with recent fires in regions not typically prone to such events.
The need for adaptation to the changing climate is becoming increasingly evident, with authorities in both countries grappling with the challenges posed by the prolonged heat and drought conditions.