Hottest day of the year recorded in London, UK, with temperatures exceeding 38 degrees

The UK's meteorological service (Met Office) reported that temperatures in western London reached 38.1°C, one degree higher than the previous record set on June 28. However, this figure was still below the British August record of 38.5°C, recorded in 2003.

Like France, the UK is experiencing its fifth heatwave this year; the first wave was noted in May. In 2026, four days have already registered temperatures of 36°C (96.8°F) or higher. Furthermore, the UK has matched the figures from 2022, when two days reached the 38°C mark.

In various areas of the Midlands, central England, authorities reported the start of at least two new pasture fires. According to video footage broadcast by Sky News, several houses were burning in Sturbridge, near a golf course.

Overall, approximately 1017 forest fires were recorded across England and Wales this year, matching last year's record figures, according to the National Council of Fire Chiefs. Although these numbers do not compare to the scale of fires that occurred in France, Greece, and Spain, they indicate the need for the UK to adapt to a new reality.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that he is considering introducing a ban on the use of disposable grills due to the risk of new forest fires. He emphasized: 'I believe we need to send a very clear signal. People should not be using these barbecues outdoors at the moment.'

Nurses in the UK have also fainted from heat exhaustion while working in hospitals, many of which are located in old buildings not equipped with proper air conditioning, as reported by the Royal College of Nursing.

Meanwhile, temperatures in France have risen even higher, approaching 41°C in various zones, from Aquitaine (southwest) to the Rhône Valley (east), according to the national meteorological service.

It is forecast that the strongest heat will move east on Friday, moving away from the UK and France, and will weaken over the weekend. Like many parts of Europe, the UK and France are facing widespread drought, which has destroyed crops and dried up rivers, increasing the strain on water resources for housing, agriculture, and the environment. This forces governments and water users to seek short-term and long-term measures to mitigate the effects of anthropogenic climate change.

The British company Southern Water, responsible for water supply in southern England, has issued a rare injunction prohibiting businesses from using water for secondary purposes, such as washing cars and filling non-residential pools, citing that the 'exceptional' lack of rain threatens water supply. The decision on the ban will be made by Environment Minister Angela Eagle.

Given the drought and the absence of forecasts for significant rainfall, British and French authorities are maintaining maximum vigilance regarding forest fires, while major blazes occur in more southern regions of Europe.

In northern Greece, over 300 tourists and residents were evacuated by sea today after a forest fire destroyed a pine forest and endangered homes by the coast, according to Greek authorities.