U.K. records hottest day of 2026 as western Europe heats up again
The Met Office said the temperature of 38.1 degrees Celsius (100.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in west London was a tenth of a degree higher than the previous record set June 28.
The U.K. experienced its hottest day of 2026 on Thursday as an intense heatwave swept across western Europe. The temperature in west London reached 38.1 degrees Celsius (100.6 degrees Fahrenheit), just a tenth of a degree higher than the previous record set on June 28, according to the Met Office. This marked the fifth heat wave of the year for Britain, with the previous record of 38.5 C (101.3 F) in 2003 remaining unbroken.
France, meanwhile, saw temperatures soar up to 41 C (106 F) in several regions. Multiple grass fires broke out in central England, forcing the evacuation of residents from their homes. Nurses have collapsed from heat exhaustion while working in hospitals, with many facilities lacking adequate cooling. Britain's Southern Water has applied for a drought order to restrict nonessential water use due to the extreme lack of rainfall.
Authorities remain on high alert for wildfires, as major blazes have already occurred in France and Greece. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested banning disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires.
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