London has recorded its hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 38.1C on Thursday afternoon. This is the second time this year the country has seen temperatures reach 38C, surpassing the previous high of 38C recorded in the late June heatwave.
Fifth heatwave and drought conditions
The capital struggled under an amber warning for extreme temperatures during the fifth heatwave of a scorching summer. Extremely dry weather has hit much of the country, with more than 70% of the country now in drought following a record dry July, and an August that has so far seen just 5% of expected rainfall.
Record-breaking temperatures
Thursday was also the fifth hottest day on record in the UK, and further records were set, according to the Met Office. This is now the first year on record to see three separate days where temperatures reached the 37C threshold, as well as the first year with four days at 36C or above.
Friday is also expected to be a scorching day, with highs of 33C predicted in the capital. Temperatures are then due to fall to the mid 20s over the weekend, giving a welcome respite from the extreme heat for many.
Wildfires and climate warnings
The UK is facing increasingly extreme conditions such as heatwaves, drought and wildfires fuelled by climate change, which is mostly driven by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels for power plants, vehicles, heating and industry.
Baroness Brown, who chairs the independent advisory Climate Change Committee's adaptation work, warned it "gets worse from here" until greenhouse gas emissions are cut to zero overall, known as net zero. Climate advisers are also urging the Government to take steps to prepare the UK for worsening extremes, from making it easier for farmers to build reservoirs to putting air conditioning in hospitals and providing grants for vulnerable families to do the same.
England and Wales have already seen as many wildfires this year as during the whole of 2025. Some 1,017 wildfires have been recorded in England and Wales this year, according to data shared by the National Fire Chiefs Council, the same as last year's record-breaking total.
