UK Forecasters See Above-Average July and August Heat as 2 Heatwaves Already Broke Records
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 27
UK Forecasters See Above-Average July and August Heat as 2 Heatwaves Already Broke Records
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 27
Summary
July and August are both expected to be warmer than average in the UK, with forecasters warning of a higher chance of further heatwaves and “significant bursts” of heat.
Two heatwaves have already hit in the past two months — the first such double this early in summer since 1911 — after May set a 35.1C record at Kew and June then broke the UK’s all-time June temperature record.
A red extreme heat warning was issued this week for south-east Wales and southern England, only the second since the Met Office introduced the alert in 2021, forcing some school closures and straining transport.
The Met Office says a hotter summer is now twice as likely as in 1991-2020, while scientists warn climate change is making UK heatwaves hotter, more frequent and longer lasting.
Researchers say the risk of temperatures above 40C is rising quickly after the UK first crossed that threshold in 2022, with mid-40C temperatures possible by 2050 if warming continues.
As deadly 'tropical nights' become common, is UK infrastructure ready for a future of permanent extreme heat?
Europe's 'feels-like' temperature has risen 5°C. Are we underestimating the true danger of today's heatwaves?
If the science on deadly heatwaves is 'settled,' what is preventing the drastic global action required to stop them?
Europe’s Hottest June on Record: The 2026 Heatwave, Climate Change, and the Urgent Need for Resilience
Overview
In June 2026, an unprecedented heatwave swept across large parts of Europe, breaking temperature records such as 38°C in Basel, Switzerland. This extreme event caused immediate concerns for public health and infrastructure, with elevated temperatures straining emergency services, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and fatalities, and stressing power grids and transportation networks. The widespread nature of the heatwave highlighted the urgency and scale of the crisis, showing how climate change is making such events more frequent and severe. These impacts underscore the need for urgent action to protect communities and adapt infrastructure for a warming future.