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Two heatwaves. 50 years apart.

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Maximum temperature anomalies over the UK for the last two days. If you're wondering whether we need a new colour scale... you're not wrong. These anomaly maps are relative to the 1991-2020 average. (Based on HadUK-Grid dataset and produced by the Met Office National Climate Information Centre)

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What is the future of summers in England? Our choices matter. A high-emissions future will commit our children and grandchildren to live in a world where the summers of 1976 & 2025 are cold. A global net-zero emissions future means that we can stabilise the climate & those summers will be normal.

England average summer temperatures in a high emissions future

England average summer temperatures in a global net-zero emissions future

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Hotter temperatures, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, makes wildfires in the UK more likely. Pic: Peak District yesterday

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The London Ambulance Service responded to the highest number of life-threatening emergencies in its history yesterday. The Chief Executive said this was "driven by the extreme heat across London".

The London Ambulance Service responded to the highest number of life-threatening emergencies in its history on Wednesday.

Temperatures soared to 36.1C in parts of the UK on Wednesday, and that record for June has been broken again today.

Ambulance crews responded to 642 calls relating to category 1 incidents - those that include the most serious, life-threatening injuries and illnesses such as cardiac arrests and patients who are not breathing.

Chief Executive Jason Killens KAM said this was "driven by the extreme heat across London".

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Yes, it's roasting! Watch the temperatures across the UK rise during the rest of the day: istheukhotrightnow.com Website: @roostweather.bsky.social

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The data shown is from @metoffice.gov.uk using the same models that are used every day to make the weather forecast, but simulating the weather in a warmer world. The same heatwave reaches 45°C in the UK, as presented by Laura Tobin at an event this week marking the 50th anniversary of summer 1976.

Laura Tobin presenting a weather forecast for 45C

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Ed Hawkins @edhawkins.org · 24/06/2026

What could a future heatwave on the island of Ireland look like? A heatwave reaching 38°C is plausible. This particular heatwave is set in 2056 in a world approaching 2.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Analysis: @climatecocentre.bsky.social www.irishtimes.com/environment/...

Plausible temperatures in Ireland during a heatwave set in 2056

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Not yet, but a future weather forecast was presented for a plausible heatwave in June 2056...

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Ed Hawkins @edhawkins.org · 24/06/2026

Was fortunate to be able to talk about this on Monday (in front of a very large screen) at an event to put the heatwave of 1976 into context with the significant changes in our climate since then. Rather ironically, I sat down after speaking and the Met Office red heatwave warning came in...

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Ed Hawkins @edhawkins.org · 24/06/2026

1976 and all that... Greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels, have caused global temperatures to rise 1°C since 1976, but comparable UK heatwaves are now 3°C hotter, and would peak at 38-39°C. (Oh look, same as this week's temperatures...) theconversation.com/we-recreated...

Maximum temperatures on 27th June 1976 (left), and a comparable event in today's climate (right)

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Ed Hawkins @edhawkins.org · 23/06/2026

Happy birthday to the heatwave of 1976 which began today 50 years ago, peaking at 35.9°C. If a comparable heatwave happened in the current climate it would be 3-4°C hotter, peaking at 38-39°C. And the actual forecast is for temperatures of 38-39°C in the next few days with a red heatwave warning.

The summer of 1976 translated into a warmer climate.

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Earlier this year we translated past extreme heatwaves into the present to see how much hotter they would be today. This is comparing one day in 1976 & 2026. And, ironically, this is rather similar to the actual weather forecast for the next few days. rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Maximum temperatures from 1976 (left) and a comparable event today (right).

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When looking at the full global picture it becomes obvious that we are now living in a much changed climate. In summer 1976, north-west Europe was a lonely hot spot in a sea of cooler temperatures. In summer 2025, the world is bright red. The climate is unrecognisable compared to 50 years ago.

Average summer temperature anomaly in 1976

Average summer temperature anomaly in 2025

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Large parts of north-west Europe also baked in the heat in 1976, but our climate has changed. Global temperatures have risen by about 1°C since then. In 2025, the UK summer was hotter than 1976 on average even without such a lengthy heatwave. Europe experienced record-breaking heat in many regions.

Comparing the summers of 1976 and 2025 for Europe

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The heatwave began on the 23rd June 1976. 15 consecutive days with temperatures above 32°C, at the end of a year-long drought, leading to water shortages, wildfires, and ending the summer with flash floods. There were 250 excess deaths per day during the heatwave.

Tanning herself in the drought that has brought water supply problems to Britain is 19-year-old model Cerica. She donned a bikini and enjoyed the sunshine in the dried-up basin of Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire.

Credit line PA Images / Alamy

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The UK summer of 1976 was an extraordinary heatwave for its time. On the 50th anniversary, we look back to learn about what that event can tell us today. For those who experienced the heatwave it is engrained in the memory, but it gives us a stark warning about future extreme heat for the UK.

Heatwave 1976-2026. Our memory. Their future.

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