UK Hits Hottest Day of Year at 38.1C
The United Kingdom had its hottest day of the year on Thursday. Kew Gardens in west London recorded 38.1 degrees Celsius.
This beat the previous 2026 high of 38.0C. But it stayed below the UK's August record of 38.5C.
That record was set in 2003. The heat marked the peak of Britain's fifth summer heatwave this year.
France has also had five heatwaves this year. An amber extreme heat warning covers parts of England until midnight.
Doctors also warned about heat exhaustion in hospitals. Officials warned about drought, water shortages and wildfire risk.
Europe was under a large heat dome during the heatwave. Temperatures above 40C are expected in parts of Europe soon.
Klear Note — A heat dome traps hot air, causing unusually high regional temperatures.
Key Terms 3
- Kew Gardens A famous botanical garden in west London, UK.
- Heat dome A large area of hot air trapped over a region.
- Amber heat warning A UK weather alert level for dangerous high temperatures.