The UK recorded its hottest day of 2026 so far, with 38.1C provisionally logged at Kew Gardens in west London, as Europe endured the summer's fifth heatwave beneath a heat dome.
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Key facts
- A provisional 38.1C was recorded at Kew Gardens in west London, according to the Met Office.
- The reading surpassed the previous 2026 high of 38C set on 28 June.
- It marks the peak of the summer's fifth heatwave.
- Temperatures in parts of Europe surpassed 40C.
- The continent was described as trapped under a major heat dome.
The UK has recorded its hottest day of the year so far, with a provisional temperature of 38.1C logged in southern England, according to the Guardian citing the Met Office. The reading was taken at Kew Gardens in west London.
The new provisional high surpassed the previous 2026 peak of 38C, which was recorded on 28 June, the Met Office said. Thursday’s figure came at the peak of what the Guardian described as the summer’s fifth heatwave.
The heat was not confined to the UK. Across Europe, temperatures approached and in parts surpassed 40C, as the continent sweltered under conditions described as a major heat dome, according to the Guardian.
A heat dome occurs when high pressure traps hot air over a region, driving temperatures higher and prolonging spells of extreme heat. The Guardian reported the continent was effectively trapped beneath such a system at the height of the heatwave.
The 38.1C figure remains provisional, meaning it is subject to confirmation by the Met Office. The reading nonetheless sets a new benchmark for the year in the UK, exceeding the late-June high by a narrow margin.
The Guardian noted this was the fifth heatwave of the summer, underscoring a season marked by repeated spells of high temperatures across the UK and wider Europe.
Why it matters
Record and near-record temperatures place strain on health services, infrastructure and vulnerable people, and repeated heatwaves in a single summer draw attention to shifting weather patterns. Tracking these milestones helps the public understand the growing frequency of extreme heat events.
Frequently asked questions
What was the UK's hottest temperature this year?
A provisional 38.1C was recorded at Kew Gardens in west London, according to the Met Office as reported by the Guardian, making it the hottest day of 2026 so far.
What was the previous high for the year?
The previous 2026 high was 38C, recorded on 28 June, according to the Met Office.
How hot did it get in Europe?
Temperatures in parts of Europe surpassed 40C as the continent sat under a major heat dome, according to the Guardian.
Timeline
- UK records hottest day of the year as fifth summer heatwave reaches peak
The Guardian World: Kew Gardens in London hits 38.1C and 40C-plus expected in parts of Europe with continent trapped under heat dome Europe heatwave – latest updates The UK has recorded its hottest day of the year so far with a provisional temperature of 38.1C in southern England as Europe sweltered
- UK records hottest day of year as fifth summer heatwave reaches peak
The Guardian World: Kew Gardens in London hits 38.1C and 40C-plus recorded in parts of Europe with continent trapped under heat dome Europe heatwave – latest updates The UK has recorded its hottest day of the year so far with a provisional temperature of 38.1C in southern England as Europe sweltered