The UK is enduring its third heatwave of the year as Europe grapples with record-breaking temperatures. Western Europe experienced its hottest June on record, scientists confirmed on Thursday, amid high global ocean temperatures that could cause mass-mortality events for some species.
UK heat alerts expanded
The UK Health Security Agency expanded amber heat health alerts to cover all regions of England except the north-east, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services. The Met Office said high temperatures would persist through much of next week, potentially making this heatwave one of the longest since the 1976 heatwave that killed 250 people. On Thursday, temperatures surpassed 35°C (95°F) in Surrey, falling short of the provisional high of 37.7°C recorded on 26 June in Norfolk.
The Met Office noted that Thursday was the eighth day this year with temperatures above 34°C, breaking previous records from 2020 and 1976 by one day.
Climate crisis driving extreme heat
Friederike Otto, professor of climate science at Imperial College London, stated that the climate crisis is making every heatwave hotter. “The heat we have seen this summer is only possible because of the 1.4°C of climate change we have to date, due to the burning of fossil fuels,” she said. Otto cautioned against using the term “new normal,” noting that the climate continues to warm as long as fossil fuels are burned.
European death toll and impacts
Across Europe, countries are grappling with the fallout. Belgium reported 1,747 excess deaths in June, while Germany recorded 5,120 heat-related deaths. Early academic estimates suggest the continental death toll could exceed 20,000. In France, a nuclear reactor reportedly shut down due to high heat. Scientists urged the transformation of homes from “thermal kettles” into decent housing as a public health imperative.
France’s high council on climate recommended installing shutters, shade structures, and cooling systems in hospitals, care homes, and schools. The annual report found France unprepared for climate breakdown and called for a consolidated plan to phase out fossil fuels. “The cost of inaction is much higher than the cost of the transition,” the authors wrote.
NHS under summer pressure
The NHS in England reported a “summer onslaught,” with average A&E attendances exceeding 80,000 for the first time in June. NHS national medical director Prof Frankie Swords said summer is putting the NHS under as much pressure as winter. South Central Ambulance Service noted a 118% increase in calls directing the public to defibrillators for suspected cardiac arrest during the June heatwave.
More than 1,000 schools across the UK closed or partially closed during the June heatwave, with some repeating measures this week due to poorly insulated buildings.
Water and food supply challenges
Water companies reported increased demand, with a hosepipe ban already in force for South East Water customers in parts of Kent. Southern Water will introduce restrictions for about 1 million customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from Friday. Supermarkets struggled to keep fridge and freezer units running, leading to empty shelves and apology signs.
Rupert Ashby, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation, said older fridge-freezer units were worst affected. “These systems just weren’t designed to deal with this type of temperature because, historically, we rarely had it,” he said. Phil Pluck, chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, noted that 50% of cold warehouses in the UK are over 20 years old, and the hot weather has increased energy usage and system pressure. He predicted that open fridge-freezers in supermarkets would become less common, with Perspex doors becoming standard.
