Forecasters in the U.K. are predicting the mercury will rise as high as 38 C in central and southeast England on Thursday, potentially making it the hottest day of the year. Temperatures in France, meanwhile, are forecast to go even higher, reaching 40 C in central and southern areas and 38 C in Paris.

Globally, so far this is the third-hottest year, behind 2024 and 2025, climate statistics show.

Extreme heat warnings issued in Britain and France with temperatures forecasted to reach mid-30s Celsius this week.