UK records hottest day of the year as western Europe swelters once again

The United Kingdom experienced its hottest day of the year Thursday, as temperatures soared to 38.1 degrees Celsius (100.6 F) in west London, according to the national weather service. This marks the latest in an intense period of hot weather gripping Europe.

The Met Office reported that the day's high surpassed the previous record of 38 C (100.4 F) set on June 28, though it remained just below the all-time August record of 38.5 C (101.3 F) from 2003. This year has now seen a record four days with temperatures at or above 36 C (96.8 F), and it has matched 2022 with two days reaching 38 C.

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When nursing staff are collapsing, feeling dizzy, sick or even being admitted to the very hospitals they work in because their workplaces cannot handle the heat, it shows just how badly they are being failed.

Meanwhile, France has seen even higher temperatures, approaching 41 C (106 F) in various regions. The intense heat is forecast to shift eastward away from Britain and France by Friday and gradually recede over the weekend. This summer's extreme heat underscores that both nations are ill-equipped to handle such temperatures, with air conditioning being a rarity outside of commercial establishments.

The heatwave exacerbates existing drought conditions across Britain and France. Shriveled crops, depleted rivers, and strained water resources are pressuring households, agriculture, and the environment. Britain's Southern Water has applied for a drought order, which would restrict nonessential water use by businesses, a measure not seen since May 2006. Nurses in Britain have reportedly collapsed from heat exhaustion due to inadequate cooling in hospitals.

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an 'exceptional' lack of rain is threatening supplies.