UK records hottest day of the year so far as temperatures hit 38.1°C

The UK has sweltered as it recorded the hottest day of the year so far on Thursday, as temperatures provisionally reached 38.1°C at Kew Gardens in London. The new high is the second time this year the country has seen temperatures reach 38°C, and it surpasses the previous hottest day of 2026 when 38°C was recorded in the late June heatwave as the UK struggled under a rare “red warning” for extreme temperatures. The only other time temperatures have reached 38°C twice in a year was in 2022 when the UK recorded its hottest ever temperature of 40.3°C in Lincolnshire. It comes as much of the country experiences drought with a record-breaking 56 consecutive days without rain being recorded in Wisley in Surrey and wildfires burning in Hampsire. Shorts It also means Thursday is the fifth hottest day on record. France meanwhile recorded 36°C in Paris and 38°C in Bordeaux with highs of 41°C anticipated. The latest record comes amid an amber warning for extreme heat covering much of central and southern England and the fifth heatwave in a summer by extremely dry weather and drought for much of England and Wales. The UK is on course to record its warmest summer on record for mean temperature according to the Met Office, nearly 2°C above the 1991 to 2020 average. This year is also threatening to beat record the warmest summer on average, even hotter than the famous heatwave summer of 1976. The dry heat has caused an increase in the risk of wildfires with firefighters continuing to tackle a blaze in the New Forest in Hampshire and high risk warnings of in place in eastern and southern Scotland. It comes as much of the country experiences drought with a record-breaking 56 consecutive days without rain being recorded in Wisley in Surrey and wildfires burning in Hampsire (Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire) The whole of England is currently in drought along with three quarters of England as rivers and reservoirs dry up in the hot sun. The warning expires at midnight tonight, with the possibility of thunderstorms, rain and cooler temperatures breaking out in the UK through the weekend. Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster David Oliver said: “While Thursday will be the peak of the heat this week, some warmth will remain in the south and southeast on Friday, before easing more widely on Saturday as cooler air spreads south from the northwest.” Not everywhere was equally dry, with thunderstorms leading to a yellow warning being declared across much of Northern Ireland. The Met Office has warned that the heat could cause issues for vulnerable individuals and transport delays. William Spencer, climate and first aid expert at the British Red Cross, said: “While periods of hot weather have become more familiar in recent years, they can still pose serious risks to health. In fact, after prolonged dry and warm conditions, it is more important than ever to follow heat safety advice. EXPLORE MORE ON THE TOPICS IN THIS STORY