Could UK Summers Get Even Hotter — And Is the Country Ready?

Parts of the United Kingdom are being hit by a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures possibly reaching 37°C in south-east England. That would break the previous record for June and comes just weeks after unusually high temperatures in May. Scientists say this kind of extreme heat will happen more and more often because of climate change. They are urging the government to do much more to prepare the country for hotter summers ahead.

Experts say these record temperatures are not a surprise, but the size of the records being broken is still shocking. Lizzie Kendon, a professor of climate science at the University of Bristol, said breaking temperature records is expected as the climate changes. However, she called it 'extraordinary' how far above the old record the new temperatures are reaching. She also works at the UK Met Office, which tracks and studies the country's weather.

UK summers have clearly been getting warmer over the decades. Between 2015 and 2024, the number of days above 30°C more than tripled compared with the average between 1961 and 1990. Reaching 35°C used to be rare in the 20th century, but six of the past ten years have passed that mark. The UK's hottest ever recorded temperature is now 40.3°C, set in July 2022.

Looking ahead, things could get even more extreme. If the world keeps warming at its current rate, temperatures in the mid-forties could be possible in the UK by 2050, according to the Met Office. Even higher temperatures may come in the second half of this century. Not every year will set a new record, but the overall trend is clearly upward.

Hot weather also makes hot weather worse in a tricky cycle. When the ground dries out, less water evaporates, so more heat energy stays in the air. Some scientists think climate change is also making large high-pressure weather systems more likely to get 'stuck' in place. This can create what is called a 'heat dome,' which traps hot air underneath it — like a lid on a pot.

Dr. Akshay Deoras, a senior research scientist at the University of Reading, explained that climate change is 'loading the atmosphere with extra heat.' He said this makes extreme temperatures far more intense than they would have been in the past. Scientists agree that the only real way to stop temperatures from rising further is to cut the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, such as carbon dioxide.

The UK government has been criticised for not doing enough to prepare the country for extreme heat. The Climate Change Committee, or CCC, is an independent group that advises the government. It gave past governments a 'woeful' grade in May for their efforts on heat preparation. The CCC says the UK was designed for a cooler climate that no longer exists.

The 2022 heatwave showed just how damaging extreme heat can be. When temperatures hit 40°C, deaths and hospital admissions spiked across the country. Roads softened and railway lines buckled as steel expanded in the heat. London's Fire Brigade had its busiest day since World War Two as fires broke out across the city.

Homes, offices, and public buildings are also at serious risk from rising temperatures. Currently, only a small number of UK homes have air conditioning. The CCC warns that without urgent action, more than 90% of existing homes could overheat during severe heatwaves by the middle of this century. It is asking the government to install cooling technology in homes, schools, and hospitals as soon as possible.

The CCC also wants rules setting a maximum safe temperature for workplaces to protect people's health. In some European countries, heavy outdoor work is already banned around midday when red heat alerts are issued. Schools in those places also let children go home earlier on very hot days. The UK government has said it is 'really committed' to preparing for climate change, but critics say much more action is needed now.