We must be honest about the seriousness of the situation we’re in.

The combined effects of a heat dome and climate change have brought extreme warmth to western Europe.

The Met Office has confirmed that the UK has broken its record for the number of days exceeding 30°C in a single year, with 35 days surpassing this threshold. This surpasses the previous record of 34 days set in 1995 and is expected to rise further on Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures peaking in the mid-to-high 30s across the Midlands and south-east England. An amber extreme heat warning has been issued for Thursday, with potential temperatures reaching 38°C—matching the summer's highest recorded temperature at Lingwood in Norfolk on 26 June. This would mark the hottest August day since 2003 and could make it the fourth month this year to exceed 35°C, an unprecedented occurrence. The UK’s Health Security Agency has also activated amber heat health alerts across England, warning of significant impacts on social and healthcare systems, including increased mortality risks. While the heatwave is expected to subside by the weekend, Scotland and Northern Ireland will experience milder conditions compared to southern England. However, humidity may rise sharply on Wednesday night into Thursday, with some areas reaching mid-to-high 20s Celsius. The article also notes that prolonged rainfall is needed to alleviate drought conditions, though confidence in weather predictions remains low.

SEOUL, Aug 1 (Bernama-Yonhap) — The temperatures surpassed 40 C in the southeastern city of Yangsan for the fourth straight day to set a new record of 41.6 C as a scorching heat wave continued to grip the nation, the state weather agency said Saturday, Yonhap News Agency reported. The mercury reached 41.6 C in Yangsan, about 310 kilometres southeast of Seoul, at 2.08 pm, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). On the previous day, the city’s temperature climbed to 41.4 C, marking the highest reading since modern weather observations began on the Korean Peninsula in 1904, based on […]

A significant portion of the U.S. population, exceeding 134 million people, is currently experiencing intense heat conditions as summer temperatures test power grids across a broad area stretching from central to southern states. The National Weather Service has issued heat warnings and advisories for this expansive region. Senior branch forecaster Bob Oravec at the US

A spell of unusually hot weather is affecting the United Kingdom, with meteorologists indicating that a heatwave is likely to be officially declared in parts of the country as temperatures continue to rise. On Saturday, temperatures reached 30.5C in Frittenden, Kent, marking the highest recorded temperature in the UK so far this year and signalling the intensity of the ongoing warm period. Forecasts suggest that the heat will persist and potentially strengthen over the bank holiday period, with the possibility of new national temperature records for May being set. The current all-time UK May temperature record stands at 32.8C, and forecasters have suggested that parts of south-east England could exceed 33C in the coming days. If confirmed, this would surpass historical highs and mark one of the earliest and most intense warm spells recorded for the month. In addition, overnight temperatures may remain unusually high, with a chance that the May night-time record of 18.9C could also be broken if conditions remain warm through the evening. The Met Office defines heatwave conditions based on regional thresholds that must be met for at least three consecutive days, ranging from 25C in northern areas to 28C in parts of southern and eastern England. Several regions are expected to meet or exceed these criteria, meaning a prolonged heatwave could be officially recognised. While tourism and hospitality sectors are benefiting from the warm, sunny conditions, health authorities have issued amber heat-health alerts across parts of the Midlands and eastern England due to potential risks associated with sustained high temperatures. Officials also note that climate change is contributing to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in the UK. Despite the heat, not all regions will be affected equally, with parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland expected to remain cooler and cloudier.

The UK is experiencing unusually high temperatures for May, which are expected to intensify over the upcoming bank holiday weekend. Daytime highs are predicted to reach the upper 20s Celsius across much of the country, with some areas potentially exceeding 30C. London recorded its warmest day of the year so far, surpassing the official heatwave threshold of 28C. Amber heat health alerts have been issued for the Midlands, eastern and south-east England, highlighting potential health risks for vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. The remainder of England is under yellow alerts, indicating likely adverse effects on those groups. Central and southern England, along with parts of Wales, are expected to experience the highest temperatures this weekend, while western Scotland and Northern Ireland will remain cooler. Sunday may see the declaration of the first heatwaves of 2026 as certain areas reach their third consecutive day above the heatwave threshold. Bank holiday Monday could become the hottest May day on record, with temperatures forecast to reach 33C in south-east England, surpassing the previous record from 1944. The heat is prolonged, with temperatures unlikely to return to seasonal norms for almost a week. This early-season warmth aligns with broader climate trends driven by human-induced climate change.

The record heat during 2023 and 2024 was a topic of debate at a recent climate science meeting.

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Explore weather maps showing temperatures down to -13C! Frozen conditions ahead—check the latest forecast now. #WeatherForecast #TemperatureRecords #StayWarm.

The United Kingdom experienced its highest temperature of 2026 so far on Wednesday, February 25, with readings at Kew Gardens in London reaching 18.6°C. Other regions including Kent, Suffolk, Essex, Northolt in London, and Neatishead in Norfolk also saw temperatures surpass 17°C, with some areas warmer than Barcelona, Spain, and Malta. This unusually mild February follows a wet start to the year, with Northern Ireland and the southwest of England recording their wettest January on record. According to Sky News meteorologist Dr Christopher England, the current mild conditions are caused by a generally southerly airflow, influenced by low pressure to the west and high pressure to the east. However, he warned that cooler weather is expected to return from Thursday, although temperatures will remain above average for most areas, with cloud and rain moving in for many parts of the UK. The Met Office emphasized that these warmer temperatures do not indicate a permanent shift to spring-like conditions, and overnight frost and fog remain possible. Overall, the outlook remains changeable, and residents should not expect sustained settled weather anytime soon.

Based on current trends parts of the UK are set to see 40C summers regularly within a couple of decades.

Western Europe is essentially trapped in the weather equivalent of a Dutch oven, a situation that one scientist said has “the fingerprints of climate change all over it”