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, amidst a prolonged period of scorching weather across Europe. The Met Office noted that this temperature exceeded the previous high of 38 degrees Celsius recorded on June 26 but remained below the country’s August record of 38.5 degrees Celsius set in 2003.
Both Britain and France are currently in the midst of their fifth heatwave this year, with the first one occurring in May. The recent intense heat has led to a record number of four days in 2026 with temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celsius or higher. Additionally, this year has seen two days matching the 38-degree mark set 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, as reported by the national weather service. The extreme 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 preparedness in both Britain and France to handle such extreme temperatures. Air conditioning remains scarce outside of commercial establishments and offices. In Britain, reports have surfaced of nurses collapsing from heat exhaustion due to inadequate cooling in aging hospital buildings.
The prolonged dry spells have led to widespread drought conditions across Europe, causing crops to wither and rivers to dry up. Southern Water in Britain has sought a rare drought order to restrict non-essential water usage, citing a severe lack of rainfall threatening supplies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The decision on this application will rest with Environment Secretary Angela Eagle and could mark the first ban of this nature since May 2006.
With no relief in sight from the scorching temperatures and dry conditions, authorities in both countries are on high alert for potential wildfires. In Britain, firefighters have been battling a blaze in the New Forest area, with a total of 1,017 wildfires recorded in England and Wales this year, matching last year’s record.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a ban on disposable barbecues to mitigate the risk of wildfires amid the ongoing heatwave. The extreme weather conditions have also prompted French firefighters to demand additional resources and personnel after facing a challenging summer marked by severe weather events and forest fires across the country.