Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Fifth Heat Wave of Summer Peaks in London on Thursday
Europe is having a very hot summer.
This week is the fifth time this summer that the weather gets extremely hot.
On Thursday, parts of England, including London, could reach 37 degrees Celsius, which is almost 99 degrees Fahrenheit.
That is very, very hot weather.
The UK might have its hottest summer ever because of this heat.
The heat is making things harder for ambulance workers and firefighters.
Ambulance workers in London are getting more calls than during the worst part of the Covid-19 sickness.
Firefighters had their busiest July ever, and there were many grass fires.
The hot, dry weather can also start wildfires, and one big fire in the New Forest took days to control.
The mayor of London is giving extra money to buy special drones and equipment to help fight fires.
France is also getting very hot, with some places possibly reaching 40 degrees Celsius.
Europe's fifth heat wave of the summer is set to peak Thursday, with temperatures in southern England, including London, possibly reaching 37C (98.6F).
A series of high-pressure heat domes has put the UK on track for its hottest ever summer.
An amber heat alert spans the heart of England, from London to Sheffield, on Thursday.
London's ambulance crews have fielded more calls than at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the fire brigade had its busiest ever July.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is directing £8.9 million ($12 million) in additional funding for drones, vehicles and equipment to fight wildfires.
- Who
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan, the UK Met Office, emergency services in London, and forecasters Météo-France
- What
- Europe's fifth heat wave of the summer, bringing record temperatures, an amber heat alert, drought conditions and wildfire risks
- When
- Thursday, during the current summer period
- Where
- Southern England including London and Sheffield, and France including Paris and the New Forest
- Why
- Climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of heat waves across Europe, with high-pressure heat domes driving the extreme temperatures
- Peak temperature (London)
- 37C (98.6F) forecast for Thursday
- Forecast for France
- Up to 40C in some regions; 37C in Paris
- Heat alert
- Amber alert from London to Sheffield
- Summer heat waves in Europe
- Fifth
- Grass fire calls
- More than 200 in a single day last week
- Wildfire funding
- £8.9 million ($12 million) from London Mayor's office
- Fire brigade record
- Busiest ever July in London
- New Forest fire
- Took firefighters days to control