Britain’s flagship botanic garden, housing vast living collections and research on plant diversity since 1840.
Firefighters are tackling extensive grass fires across the West Midlands amid a record heatwave. Homes have been damaged and residents evacuated as crews declare major incidents in Stourbridge, Stratford-upon-Avon and surrounding areas. Emergency services warn people to stay indoors and close windows.
Unite members at Arriva North London have begun two days of strikes across eight garages, demanding air conditioning in all buses as cab temperatures have exceeded 40C during this summer’s heatwaves. TfL warns routes will face disruption while drivers cite health risks and potential safety hazards.
More than 50 environmental groups have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, saying he has not used the words "climate change" since taking office and urging him to link this summer's wildfires, drought and record heat to the climate crisis. They call for a public plan, an end to new North Sea drilling and faster investment in clean power and resilience.
Rightmove reports a 104% rise in site searches for homes with air conditioning from May 1 to July 31, as UK heatwaves influence buyer preferences. UK temperatures hit 38.1C in London and warnings were issued for extreme heat. House-hunters are prioritising comfort and energy efficiency, with experts noting a growing focus on cooling, ventilation and year-round livability.
Provisional Met Office data shows the UK is enduring an unusually hot meteorological summer, with temperatures hitting up to 38.1C in parts of the country. Drought covers ~70% of England and Wales, with 27 million people under water-use restrictions. Forecasters predict a mix of cooler spells and possible rain next week, with a high pressure pattern returning later in the month.
Record‑level and near‑record May temperatures have been reported across multiple regions this week — parts of England and Russia have hit unusually high temps while the eastern US has recorded low‑90s — even as eastern Australia is facing a major rain band. Forecasts show brief, intense heat will give way to fronts or rain in most places; Australia is also seeing El Niño odds rise for winter.
A persistent heat dome has driven unprecedented May temperatures across western Europe this week, with the UK and France having broken May records (Kew Gardens provisionally 35.1°C). Ambulance services have reported record call volumes, amber heat-health alerts have been issued, thunderstorms and fires have followed the heat, and officials are urging caution around open water.
A pan-European heatwave has shattered May temperature records in the UK and France, with London and Kew Gardens reaching 35C while minimum temperatures stay above 20C for consecutive nights. Met Office warnings are in place as authorities warn of heat-related health impacts and potential storms across parts of England.
A cross‑country study using mobile phone data finds people retreat indoors during extreme heat, while malls and parks offer refuge. The UK and Europe face rising temperatures and pressure to adapt school and city infrastructure for resilience. Governments are rolling out heat action plans amid social inequalities in vulnerability.
Forecasts point to a warmer, drier weekend after unsettled midweek conditions. Temperatures are set to rise above seasonal norms, with some spots potentially reaching the high 20s to near 30C as high pressure builds from the south. Weather patterns remain varied across the UK, with ongoing showers and risk of thunder.
Public Health France has recorded 5,764 excess deaths between 17 June and 2 July during an exceptional June heatwave, the highest heat-related excess mortality since 2003. France recorded 21,674 deaths against 15,910 expected; two-thirds of the excess were people aged 75 and older and more than half occurred between 25–27 June.
A European heatwave has intensified, with records shattered across multiple countries. New analyses attribute a substantial share of heat-related deaths to human-caused climate change, while authorities warn of ongoing health and infrastructure pressures as temperatures stay high.
UK health officials say interim data suggest 2026 could record the highest heat-related deaths, with 2,877 fatalities across May and June heatwaves—nearly double 2021 levels. Records for May and June temperatures are already in. Authorities warn the NHS faces strain as heat intensifies.
As temperatures rise and drought bites, British gardeners report tropical plants thriving outdoors. Bananas have flowered in Cornwall and Poole, while garden pros predict a shift toward subtropicals. Experts warn not all fruit will ripen in time, yet the trend signals warmer futures for UK gardens.