UK heatwave sets record with six days over 35°C

The United Kingdom has broken multiple temperature records during a relentless third heatwave of the summer, with meteorologists confirming 2026 as the first year to record six days at or above 35 degrees Celsius. The milestone was reached on Friday, July 10, when temperatures peaked at 35.2C in Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire, surpassing the previous record of five such days set in 1976 and 2020.

This year has also become the first to see temperatures of 35C or higher across three separate calendar months-May, June, and July-and has broken the record for the most days at or above 34C. Thursday, July 9, marked the eighth such day, exceeding the previous benchmark of seven days also set in 1976 and 2020. The heat follows the warmest June on record for England and an exceptionally warm and dry spring, creating cumulative strain on infrastructure and natural resources.

The prolonged hot and dry conditions have triggered a wave of hosepipe bans across southern and eastern England as water companies report unprecedented demand and low rainfall. Affinity Water announced a ban effective July 17 for approximately 1.1 million households in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex,...