The year 2026 has set a new record in the UK with six separate days marking temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius or higher, as confirmed by the Met Office. Today, temperatures soared to 35.2 degrees Celsius in Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire, marking the third heatwave in as many months. This surpasses the previous record held by 1976 and 2020, each with five days above 35 degrees Celsius.
Moreover, 2026 has seen a remarkable achievement, with temperatures hitting 35 degrees Celsius or higher in three different calendar months, breaking the previous record of nine instances of temperatures reaching 34 degrees Celsius or above earlier this summer. Affinity Water has joined other water suppliers in enforcing a hosepipe ban due to the strain on water resources from the scorching weather and increased demand.
The hosepipe ban prohibits activities such as watering gardens, washing cars, cleaning patios, and filling pools. Affinity Water’s Stephen Plumb emphasized the necessity of the ban to safeguard water supplies. Areas including the east of England, Cambridge, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, and parts of Kent are facing similar restrictions to conserve water resources.
The relentless heat has shattered temperature records, with the UK experiencing its eighth day this year at or above 34 degrees Celsius, surpassing previous records set in 1976 and 2020. Water minister Emma Hardy recently met with utility leaders to address the risk of drought in various regions, including East Anglia, Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire, and Isle of Wight.
The strain on the UK’s water system is exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and inadequate infrastructure investment. Several water companies have imposed restrictions, with Southern Water and Anglian Water enforcing hosepipe bans. Thames Water, Severn Trent, Essex and Suffolk Water, Wessex Water, and Portsmouth Water are urging customers to use water judiciously during the ongoing heatwave.
In light of the escalating temperatures and pressure on emergency services, the Metropolitan Police has urged the public to refrain from non-urgent calls. As the heatwave persists and England competes in the FIFA World Cup, Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes emphasized the need to prioritize essential calls and conserve resources.
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