UK heatwave shocker: Britain records fifth-hottest day ever at 38.1°C

Pershore in Worcestershire recorded a high of 38°C, while 40 locations across central and southern England registered temperatures of 36°C or higher, according to the Met Office.

The latest heatwave means 2026 has recorded the highest number of days reaching or exceeding 36°C — four days — and 37°C — three days. It has also matched 2022 for the number of days with temperatures reaching 38°C, with two such days recorded this year.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong said the current spell of extreme heat was the latest in a “remarkable summer”, with numerous temperature records broken and an exceptionally dry season recorded across much of England and Wales.

“Temperatures will remain high overnight in the east, with a widespread tropical night likely where temperatures don’t fall below 20°C,” Armstrong said.

“Friday will be a less hot day, with temperatures forecast to reach highs of 34°C in the south east. Into the weekend, temperatures could still hover over 30°C in the south, with a gradual return to average over the next few days,” he added.

World records second-warmest July on record

Meanwhile, as several regions grapple with extreme heat, drought, wildfires and other severe weather, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Tuesday stressed the urgent need for stronger forecasting and early warning systems to protect lives and livelihoods.

The UN agency said July was the second-warmest month of July on record globally, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), a European Union initiative.

Average surface air temperatures were 1.47°C above the estimated pre-industrial baseline, while global sea-surface temperatures were the highest ever recorded for July.

Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July period on record, while several countries, including Switzerland and France, are now facing their fourth heatwave of the summer.

“Intense drought is really biting,” said WMO spokesperson Clare Nullis, warning of devastating impacts on agriculture, harvests, transport, energy supplies and river levels. The combination of high temperatures and drought is also increasing the risk of wildfires.

The heat is not confined to Europe. Japan and the Republic of Korea recorded exceptional and record-breaking temperatures last week, while extreme heat has also affected parts of Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

John Kennedy, WMO’s head of climate information, said low rainfall and high temperatures had contributed to “drought, low river levels, and increased risk of wildfires”, including reduced flows in major European rivers such as the Seine, Rhine and Danube.

‘Exceptional wildfire activity’

Wildfire activity has also intensified. Nullis said July saw “exceptional wildfire activity across western Europe”, both in terms of the area burned and the emissions generated.

Fire emissions data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service show that year-to-date emissions in France are comparable to, or higher than, levels recorded during the extreme fire years of 2022 and 2023, she said.

France is on course to experience one of its most severe wildfire seasons of the past 24 years, while fire emissions in neighbouring Spain are also well above the average for this time of year.