Temperatures in the United Kingdom reached 38.1C in Kew Gardens on Thursday. This was the hottest day of 2026 so far. The UK is now having its fifth heatwave of the year. This is the second time in 2026 that the temperature reached 38C. The first time this happened was on 26 June in Lingwood, Norfolk. This year, the UK has already had 38 days where the temperature was above 30C.
There is an amber weather warning for extreme heat in many parts of the country. This includes London, the south-east, the Midlands, Eastern England, and parts of Yorkshire and Humber. The north-west and south-west of England are also very hot. The UK Health Security Agency issued amber heat health alerts for all of England. These alerts warn that extreme heat is dangerous for people.
Heat can be very bad for health. People aged 65 and over or people with health problems are at a higher risk. Doctors and hospitals will be very busy because of the heat. Also, "tropical nights" are coming. In some areas, the temperature will not go below 20C at night. This means the body cannot cool down. This makes the heat even more dangerous.
The summer of 2026 might become the warmest year ever. If the heat continues, it will be warmer than 2025. This is the second time in history that the temperature hit 38C twice in one year. The only other time was in 2022. Scientists are watching these changes closely.