In the summer of 2026, Europe is experiencing very hot weather. This heat is causing big problems in the United Kingdom and France. In the UK, schools are having trouble because of the heat. More than 1,000 schools had to close or send students home early. On 26 June, the Met Office recorded 38C in Lingwood, Norfolk. This was the hottest June day ever in the UK. The heat is also coming earlier in the year. In the 1960s, the first 30C day was usually around 13 July. Now, in the 2020s, it happens as early as 19 June. A study by the Met Office and University College London says that if temperatures rise by more than 2C, students may lose 8.2 days of learning every year.
France is also facing dangerous problems. Since 19 June, there have been 301 drownings in France. This is a 14% increase compared to the same time in 2025. Many people are trying to find cool water to escape the heat. However, many people are swimming in dangerous places like canals or private pools. These places do not have lifeguards. When people jump into cold water from the hot air, their bodies can go into shock. This makes the situation very dangerous. Governments must now find ways to adapt to these changes. They may need to change school schedules in the UK or improve safety rules in France. The heat in 2026 shows that these weather problems are happening now.
