Record-Breaking Heatwave Hits the UK
Much of the UK is currently experiencing a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach up to 37C in parts of south-east England. This would surpass the previous June high and follows unprecedented heat recorded in May.
Scientists warn that even higher temperatures are likely in the coming years, describing the recent records as "extraordinary" and emphasizing the urgent need for the UK to prioritize preparations for more extreme heat.
Hundreds of schools have planned closures in anticipation of red heat alerts, and across Europe, measures such as cool-down spots and chalking windows are being implemented to cope with the heat.
Unusual Early Summer Temperatures Align with Climate Change Trends
The temperatures experienced are particularly unusual for this early in the summer but align with the ongoing changes in the climate.
"We expect increasing temperatures and the breaking of temperature records due to climate change," said Lizzie Kendon, professor of climate science at the University of Bristol and head of climate projections at the UK Met Office.
"What is so extraordinary, however, is the margin by which the record will be broken."
While annual temperatures fluctuate naturally, UK summers have shown a clear warming trend. Between 2015 and 2024, the number of days exceeding 30C in the UK has more than tripled compared with the 1961-1990 average, according to the Met Office.
The maximum temperature recorded each year has also increased significantly. Reaching 35C was rare throughout the 20th century, yet six of the past ten years have exceeded this threshold.
Could 40C Summers Become the Norm?
The UK's highest recorded temperature stands at 40.3C, set in July 2022. Prior to 1990, the UK had never recorded temperatures above 37C.
Projections indicate that these records will continue to be broken. If global warming persists at the current rate, temperatures in the mid-40s Celsius could become a serious possibility for the UK by 2050, according to Met Office forecasts.
Although not every year will be hotter than the last, the UK may experience even higher temperatures in the latter half of this century.
Higher temperatures also lead to drier soil conditions. With less moisture available, less heat energy is consumed by evaporation, leaving more energy to warm the air and intensify hot conditions.
Some scientists suggest that climate change may increase the likelihood of high-pressure systems becoming stationary, although this is not yet confirmed. Such systems can create a "heat dome" that traps hot air, a phenomenon currently affecting Europe.
"Climate change [is] loading the atmosphere with extra heat and making extreme temperatures far more intense than they would have been in the past," said Dr Akshay Deoras, senior research scientist at the University of Reading.
Scientists emphasize that the only way to limit rising summer temperatures is through rapid reductions in global emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide.
Assessing the UK's Preparedness for Increasing Heat
The UK's readiness for hotter summers has been criticized by the government's independent adviser, the Climate Change Committee (CCC).
In May, the CCC condemned the "woeful" performance of successive governments in preparing the UK for more extreme heat.
"The UK was built for a climate that no longer exists today and will be increasingly distant in years to come," the Committee stated.
The 40C heatwave in July 2022 resulted in increased deaths and hospital admissions. It also caused widespread disruption to road and rail networks, while the London Fire Brigade experienced its busiest day since World War Two due to numerous fires across the capital.
"When temperatures rise this sharply, and for this long, the effects ripple across everything we have built - our homes, our offices, our railways, our roads, the very ground beneath them," said Xueyu Geng, professor in geotechnical engineering at the University of Warwick.
Steel railway lines can reach temperatures up to 20C above air temperature in direct sunlight, causing expansion and buckling. Road surfaces may soften in the heat, necessitating the use of gritters.
Transport authorities have advised some passengers to avoid travel during the red alert heatwave on Wednesday and Thursday.
Only a minority of homes in the UK have air conditioning. The CCC warns that without urgent action, over 90% of existing homes could overheat during more extreme heatwaves by mid-century.
The CCC has repeatedly urged the government to prioritize preparations for extreme heat. While acknowledging the upfront costs running into billions of pounds annually, the Committee argues that investing now will save money in the long term.
Recommended measures include the widespread installation of cooling technologies such as air conditioning in homes, schools, and hospitals, as well as setting maximum temperature regulations for workplaces to safeguard health.
In parts of Europe, working conditions and school schedules are adjusted during red heat alerts, with heavy manual labor banned around midday and children dismissed from classrooms earlier.
UK Floods Minister Emma Hardy has previously told that preparing for the changing climate is "something [the government] is really committed to."
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