The UK has broken the record for the most number of days reaching or exceeding 34°C in a calendar year, the Met Office has confirmed. On Thursday, a temperature of 34.4°C was recorded at Wisley in Surrey, surpassing the previous record of seven days set in the infamous summer of 1976 and again in 2020.
This milestone comes as the country experiences its third heatwave of the year, leading to hosepipe bans, early harvests, and significant impacts on health, energy infrastructure, wildfire risks, and transport. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber health alerts for several regions, warning of a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with pre-existing health conditions.
Record-Breaking Heat and Climate Change
European forecasters also confirmed that June 2026 was western Europe's hottest June on record and the second hottest globally. Scientists attribute these increasingly intense and frequent weather events to climate change, primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels. The succession of heatwaves illustrates the growing challenge posed by climate extremes across Europe and the globe, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Samantha Burgess, strategic lead for climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), stated: “June 2026 underscored how profoundly the climate is changing. Together, these records reflect a climate system continuing to accumulate heat. The result is increasingly intense heatwaves, a persistently warm ocean, and growing risks for people, ecosystems and infrastructure across Europe and beyond.”
Drought and Water Restrictions
UK officials have warned that drought conditions are becoming increasingly likely in some areas, with East Anglia, Devon, and Cornwall under close watch. Several water companies have introduced hosepipe bans to manage tightening resources. Cambridge Water announced a temporary ban for its 350,000 customers, the first such restriction in three decades. The utility stated that local water resources “are now under significant pressure” due to record demand following low rainfall.
South East Water introduced a ban on July 3 for parts of Kent, including Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden, and Tunbridge Wells. Southern Water will also enforce restrictions for about one million customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight starting Friday.
Health Impacts and Warnings
UKHSA updated its amber health alerts to include the East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London from Thursday to Sunday, in addition to existing alerts for the Midlands and southern England. Yellow heat health alerts have also been issued for northern England until Sunday. The agency warned of significant impacts across health and social care services, including increased mortality.
New analysis by UKHSA found that 254 of the 1,504 heat-associated deaths in England during last summer were linked to dementia, accounting for around one in six of all heat-associated deaths. The Alzheimer’s Society urged families and carers to check on people living with dementia, who may be less able to recognize thirst or overheating. Angelo Makri, senior knowledge officer for wellbeing at the organization, said: “As temperatures rise this week, we’re urging families, friends and neighbours to check in on people living with dementia, help them stay hydrated and support them to stay cool, particularly during the hottest parts of the day.”
Agriculture and Energy Pressure
Early harvests have begun, with Waitrose announcing the earliest ever start for wheat and oilseed rape at its Leckford Estate farm in Hampshire. Farm manager Dave Miles said: “The record-breaking heat we are experiencing is a stark wake-up call to our changing climate.” Traditionally, harvest season runs from late July to October.
Britain’s electricity grid operator, Neso, issued a plea for more power generation, forecasting tight electricity margins for Thursday evening due to extreme temperatures in Europe. This is the third such notice issued this year, typically seen during cold winter spells. Extreme heat reduces the efficiency of power generation, including nuclear and gas plants, while increasing demand for cooling.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) flagged an increasing risk of wildfires, advising against disposable barbecues in open countryside, parks, and moorlands.
