The UK experienced its hottest day of the year so far on Tuesday, with temperatures soaring to 34.7°C in St James’s Park, central London, according to the Met Office. This surpassed the previous high of 34.4°C recorded earlier the same day in Writtle, Essex. The earlier peak for 2025 had been set on 21 June in Charlwood, Surrey, at 33.2°C. Meteorologists suggest Tuesday marks the height of the current heatwave in Britain, with cooler air expected to move in from the north overnight.
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Elsewhere in Europe, the extreme heat has caused significant disruption. France saw temperatures reach 40°C in Paris, leading to more than 1,300 schools being either partially or fully closed. The Eiffel Tower’s summit was also shut to visitors, and red alerts were issued across multiple regions. In Italy, the health ministry reported that 17 out of the country’s 27 major cities were enduring heatwave conditions, while the Czech Republic recorded 37°C, prompting Prague Zoo to provide up to 10 tonnes of ice daily to help keep animals cool.
Spain has also been severely affected, with cities such as Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona experiencing temperatures well above 40°C. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking in Seville, warned that extreme heat is “no longer a rare event – it has become the new normal.” Forecasts suggest the city will continue to endure 40°C heat over the coming days, underlining the broader trend of escalating climate extremes across Europe.
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Meanwhile, wildfires in Turkey’s coastal regions have continued into a second day. Over 50,000 people have been forced to evacuate, including 42,000 from the western province of Izmir, where strong winds have intensified the spread of flames. Fires have also been reported in Hatay Province. Authorities across the region remain on high alert as they battle the dual crises of soaring temperatures and growing environmental threats.
