Europe Scorches Under Fifth Heatwave as UK Records Hottest Day of 2026

Europe is enduring its fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in parts of the continent and the UK recording its hottest day of the year. On Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Met Office provisionally recorded 38.1°C at Kew Gardens in west London, surpassing the previous high of 38°C set on June 28. The extreme heat prompted a rare amber 'extreme heat' warning across England, with forecasters expecting temperatures to climb further. The heat dome trapping the continent has also led to gale-force winds in Greece, raising fears of wildfires, and has caused significant impacts on infrastructure and health.