Temperatures soared to 34.6C in Wisley, Surrey, on Tuesday as the UK sweltered under a severe heatwave, prompting warnings from the UN chief that London was 'cooking'. The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday, with forecasts of 38C on Wednesday and up to 39C on Thursday, which would shatter the June record of 35.6C set in 1957 and 1976, and approach the all-time UK high of 40.3C recorded in July 2022.
Infrastructure Under Strain
The extreme heat exposed the vulnerability of UK infrastructure, built for a climate that no longer exists. Rail services across Britain were disrupted, with trains reducing speeds to avoid track buckling. Operators urged passengers to travel 'only if absolutely necessary'. Hospitals in England cancelled patient appointments due to high demand for emergency care, while hundreds of schools across southern England and Wales closed or reduced hours. South East Water introduced a hosepipe ban as demand surged, and other water companies urged conservation.
Climate Change Blamed
António Guterres, the UN secretary-general, speaking at London Climate Action Week, said: 'Here in London, the city of Dickens, it is clear our world is facing a tale of two crises: a climate crisis pushing us deeper toward higher temperature and closer to catastrophic tipping points, and an energy crisis exposing the folly of a world hooked on hydrocarbons.' A rapid analysis by ClimaMeter found that climate breakdown added 2C to 4C to the current heatwave.
Europe Also Affected
Much of western Europe faced oppressive heat. France recorded its hottest night and day on record, with temperatures reaching 44.3C and 40 drowning deaths as people sought relief. Spain's Aemet warned of 'extraordinary danger' with highs of 44C expected. Germany also reported drowning deaths over the weekend.
Health Risks and Adaptation
Hot weather kills tens of thousands of Europeans annually, particularly the elderly and those with underlying conditions. Emma Holmberg, an extreme temperature researcher at the University of Bern, said: 'Human-induced climate change made this heatwave exceptional. Already in June we are seeing dangerous levels of heat, which places severe stress both on infrastructure and individuals.' Retailers reported sales of electric fans more than doubling, and ice cream sales predicted to rise by half.
Future Projections
The Met Office projected that by the 2050s, a similar heatwave could see temperatures over 40C for nine consecutive days, peaking at 45C in England. Greenpeace UK called for legal protections for those most exposed. Areeba Hamid, co-executive director, said: 'Ministers are still acting as if extreme heat were an occasional seasonal quirk, when it is fast becoming a regular and serious public health risk.'
Need for Long-Term Solutions
Stefán Smith, professor at the University of Reading, warned: 'Air conditioning will be part of the solution, but when used at scale in a city causes extra local warming. This points to a clear need for better long-term solutions. Building design and urban planning must adapt to hotter conditions.' The UK's Climate Change Committee had earlier recommended that new buildings be designed to keep people cool from the outset with passive cooling measures.
