The United Kingdom and Switzerland have both recorded their hottest June temperatures on record as an intense heatwave continues to sweep across much of Western Europe. Meteorological agencies in both countries confirmed that new national June records were set on Thursday, highlighting the severity of conditions that scientists say have been intensified by climate change.
In England, temperatures climbed to 36.4 degrees Celsius in Yeovilton, Somerset, surpassing the previous June record of 36.1 degrees Celsius set just a day earlier in Gosport, Hampshire. The latest reading also exceeded the long-standing June record of 35.6 degrees Celsius established in Southampton in 1976, according to the UK Met Office.
Switzerland also experienced unprecedented temperatures for the month. National weather agency MeteoSwiss reported that June temperatures exceeded 37 degrees Celsius for the first time since records began, breaking a record that had stood since 1947. A weather station in Basel later registered 38 degrees Celsius, matching the location where the previous record had been set nearly eight decades ago.
The extreme conditions have not been limited to daytime temperatures. Cardiff recorded its warmest June night on record after overnight temperatures fell no lower than 23.5 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists said unusually high nighttime temperatures pose an increased health risk because they prevent people and buildings from cooling down after sunset.
The heatwave has spread across much of Western Europe, with Agence France-Presse estimating that more than 100 million people experienced temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius on Thursday. Several countries have issued heat warnings as public health authorities urge residents to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and remain hydrated.
Climate scientists say such extreme heat events have become both more frequent and more intense due to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. Researchers estimate that the current European heatwave is between two and four degrees Celsius hotter than it would have been without human-induced climate change. They warn that similar events are expected to become increasingly common unless global emissions are significantly reduced.
The UK’s Health Security Agency has linked more than 10,000 deaths to heatwaves between 2020 and 2024. The agency extended its highest-level health alert for another 24 hours through Friday night, marking only the second time a red heat-health warning has been issued. The Met Office also prolonged its red weather warning across southeastern England as dangerous conditions persisted.
The extreme weather has disrupted daily life across the country. Schools have temporarily closed, rail services have been suspended in some areas, and high humidity has further increased discomfort. The National Education Union has called on the government to accelerate the installation of air conditioning in schools, arguing that many classrooms are no longer safe during prolonged heatwaves.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Thursday unveiled the city’s first dedicated heat action plan, describing extreme temperatures as an immediate threat rather than a future concern. The strategy includes retrofitting homes most vulnerable to overheating, expanding tree cover, and improving access to public cooling spaces such as splash parks and swimming facilities.
The latest heatwave comes as the UK Parliament approved a legally binding target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 87 percent by 2040. The Climate Change Committee has warned that much of Britain’s infrastructure was designed for weather conditions that no longer exist, urging faster adaptation measures to protect communities from the growing impacts of climate change.
