The current heatwave is driven by a “heat-dome” – an area of high pressure that stalls over a region and traps heat – settling over western Europe and bringing extreme conditions across the continent.
Human-driven climate change, mostly caused by burning fossil fuels, is making such extreme heatwaves more frequent and intense.
(AFP/Getty)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 10:40
Fifth hospital declares critical incident
A fifth hospital has declared a critical incident after temperatures continue to rocket in the UK’s devastating heatwave.
The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital said “the extreme heat and humidity is having on our ability to deliver services”.
The Trust said it has implemented “contingency plans” to ensure they can provide “essential services safely for patients”.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 10:25
In pictures: Morning commuters brave the heat
(PA)
(PA)
(PA)
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 10:15
Dozens race to buy bargain air conditioning unit in Lidl as temperatures soar
Huge queues could be seen snaking outside supermarkets on Thursday as Britons tried to get their hands on bargain air conditioning units.
In a bid to keep cool, dozens of people queued across a Lidl car park on Thursday morning in Southampton as they tried to buy £149 discounted air conditioning units.
One shopper shared a video of her scrambling through Lidl in a race to get hold of an air conditioning unit only to find they had all sold out.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 10:05
‘Move the summer holidays’: Readers on how schools should adapt to extreme heat
Our community is divided on whether schools should close during heatwaves, but many agree Britain needs longer-term solutions – from adapting school buildings to rethinking term dates – as extreme temperatures become more common:
As debate continues over school closures and disruption during the heatwave, Independent readers are divided over where responsibility should lie when extreme temperatures make classrooms uncomfortable or potentially unsafe.
While some warned that shutting schools creates major childcare challenges for working families, others argued that children’s wellbeing should take priority as the UK adapts to increasingly frequent periods of extreme heat.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 09:55
Heatwave commute: Tube passengers swelter in 40°C conditionsHeatwave commute: Tube passengers swelter in 40°C conditions
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 09:47
Full list of schools closing or shutting early as heatwave scorches
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 09:36
Hosepipe ban map: Is my area under restrictions during record UK heatwave?
South East Water has put an official temporary hosepipe use ban in place, covering much of the Kent region. Other areas served by the company – Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Sussex (both East and West) – have also been advised to pause all use.
A hosepipe ban is different to an advisory notice. Anyone caught breaching an official ban can be issued with a fine of up to £1,000.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 09:14
Another tropical night as temperatures stayed above 22C
Temperatures in southern areas of England and Wales did not drop below 22C all night, Met Office figures show.
London at 2am was still heating up at 23C south west of London at 2am, and remained at around 25C around the south eastern coast.
A tropical night is the meteorological term for an evening when the temperature does not drop below 20C.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 09:05
Watch: Sky glows orange as ferocious wildfire rages near GlossopSky glows orange as ferocious wildfire rages near Glossop
Maryam Zakir-Hussain26 June 2026 08:56