Europe heatwave live: UK breaks temperature record for June as parts of France hit 40C – as it happened

The United Kingdom broke its June temperature record on June 24, 2026, with West Sussex reporting 35.8C, surpassing the previous record set in 1976. The Met Office forecasts a headline maximum temperature of 39C for Thursday, likely in London or the south-east, with a possibility of exceeding this figure. This heatwave is impacting continental Europe as well, with a red weather alert extended to 72 of France's 96 mainland departments, where temperatures have reached 40C in some areas. The extreme heat poses significant risks and necessitates widespread public health advisories and emergency preparedness.