Oxford News
June heatwave would be ‘virtually impossible’ in 1976
The recent heatwave that has shattered records has intensified warnings about the pace and impact of climate change across Europe.
A rapid analysis conducted in response to the extreme hot and humid conditions affecting large parts of northern, western and central Europe has confirmed the event as the most severe heatwave ever recorded in the region.
June 2024 saw temperatures in the UK exceed records not seen since the summer of 1976, while France logged its hottest day on record and several other countries endured similar extremes, causing widespread disruption and placing pressure on public health systems.
June heatwave would be ‘virtually impossible’ in 1976
Dr Theodore Keeping, an extreme weather and wildfire researcher at Imperial College London, said: “The science of how climate change is worsening heatwaves is settled.
“Continued fossil fuel emissions are directly responsible for the disruption people are experiencing this week in their homes, schools and workplaces.”
The analysis by the World Weather Attribution group found that both daytime highs and overnight temperatures during the heatwave would have been virtually impossible at this time of year under the climate of 50 years ago.
A similar event occurring under those conditions would have been an estimated 3.5C cooler.
The researchers also found that the intense overnight heat, which has contributed to sleepless nights for many, is now about 100 times more likely than it was just 23 years ago during the deadly 2003 European heatwave.
Daytime temperature peaks are now around 10 times more likely.
Humidity has also emerged as a growing threat.
The summer of 1976 wasn’t just hot — it was relentless. ☀️🥵🇬🇧
People remember glorious beach weather and endless sunshine… but there was another side to it.
Reservoirs ran dry.
Grass turned to dust.
Livestock were fed winter straw.
Standpipes appeared in streets as families… pic.twitter.com/0Bi3BkUHgv— Benonwine (@benonwine) June 25, 2026
Nearly half (45%) of the 854 cities studied across 30 European countries have either broken or are expected to break their “wet bulb globe temperature” record – a measure of heat stress that accounts for the body’s ability to cool itself through sweating.
More than half the cities analysed in the UK and Ireland broke heat stress records during the heatwave.
This surge in temperatures has been fuelled by a “heat dome” – a blocked high-pressure system that traps hot air over Europe and draws up warm air from the Sahara.
A new record high temperature was set for June for the second day in a row on Thursday (June 25).
The Met Office said temperatures had reached 36.4C at Yeovilton, Somerset, provisionally making it the UK’s hottest June day on record.
The new high surpasses both the previous record set on Wednesday (June 24), when temperatures reached 36.1C in Gosport, Hampshire, and the long-standing record for June heat, which dates back to 1976.
Speed of climate change is ‘startling’
Researchers compared observed and forecast temperature data to identify the hottest three-day period of the heatwave and contrast it with similar events in a cooler climate.
Their findings point clearly to the role of climate change in making this heatwave possible.
Dr Keeping said: “The speed of change is startling.
“Every few years we are seeing heat records shattered in Europe.
“This year it has been in consecutive months.
“In the UK, we are used to ‘snow days’ shutting down schools, but this generation is now growing up with ‘heat days’ as well.”
Professor Friederike Otto, professor of climate science at Imperial College London, said: “Scientists like me are beginning to sound like a broken record.
“We put out similar quotes year after year, reacting to heat extremes that climb ever higher.
“Yes, this is climate change, yes it’s us, no it’s not El Niño, yes we have the solutions, no we’re not implementing them fast enough.
“It’s really now a question of what kind of future we want for ourselves, and whether we’re willing to do what it takes to secure it.”
Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said: “Extreme heat is shattering records across Europe, and the science is very clear about why: climate change is running rampant, caused by the world’s addiction to burning coal, oil and gas.
“But the solutions are equally clear: a faster shift to clean energy – which is now much cheaper than fossil fuels – as well as protecting forests and building climate resilience.
“We must step up the pace, together.”
How hot do you think it will get this year in the UK? Let us know in the comments.
It will take place tomorrow – Saturday – in the Abbey Gardens, starting from 10.30am, with tribute bands on stage from 5pm.
The event, which has been running for years, is backed by the town council and from 5pm watching the bands is a ticketed event.
While bands last year played in the rain, temperatures are set to remain high tomorrow with the heatwave continuing.
READ MORE: M40 and A34 road closures
A statement on the event website says: “Get ready for an unforgettable Fun and Music in the Park.
“It’s free during the daytime with lots of activities for all ages including inflatables, DIY face painting, arts and crafts and make your own music! We also have some fantastic live performances up until 5pm.
“From 5pm join us for live music and brilliant company in the Abbey Gardens for the ticketed Music in the Park 2026 – a night packed with legendary sounds and festival energy.
“This year’s incredible line up includes: Counterfeit Hit, The Dung Beatles, The Milestones and The Bohemians – The Ultimate Queen Tribute.
“Arrive early and soak up the atmosphere in our beer tent, where a hand-picked selection of fantastic local artists will be warming you up with live music before the headline acts take over.
“Bring your friends, bring your dancing shoes, and get ready to sing, sway, and rock the night away.”
On the August Bank Holiday weekend The Sealed Knot re-enactment society will be re-creating a battle from the English Civil War at The Great Tew Estate near Chipping Norton, only a few miles from Jeremy Clarkson’s famous Diddly Squat Farm.
The event will happen on Sunday, August 30 and Monday, August 31, and is titled: ‘A Battle for the Cotswolds’.
READ MORE: Former Christian Church in Oxfordshire town listed for £500,000 sale
More than 2,000 members of the society will be present with the day to include cannon fire, charging horses and a full battle re-enactment.
Attendees can spend the day exploring the living history encampment, taking part in activities and watching arena displays including the Grand Battle Finale, which will include hundreds of infantry, artillery and cavalry troops as the Parliament Army attempts to take the Royalist stronghold.
It will begin at 11am and close at 5pm, with tickets prices at £20 per family, £10 per individual and £5 concessions. Carers and children under 5 enter for free.
The tickets can be purchased in advance on The Sealed Knot website or on the day.
READ MORE: Historic Cotswolds home with natural swimming pool up for £1.95 million sale
There will be a coffee barista, tea and beer tent available on the site.
Near to Great Tew, a number of English Civil War battles were fought including Edgehill, Cropredy Bridge and Stow-on-the-Wold.
At the estate, before the war broke out, Lucius Cary, Viscount Falkland, gathered his Great Tew Circle, a group of thinkers and writers who were critical of authoritarianism and the religious dogmatism that was threatening to tear the country apart.
Sukhmanpreet Singh, 22, from Hayes, West London, died in an incident on the southbound carriageway just over the Oxfordshire border between Junction 3 (Loudwater) and Junction 4 (High Wycombe) on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
At around 9.10pm, a black Vauxhall Astra hit the central reservation and left the road.
South Central Ambulance Service, Thames Valley Police, Bucks Fire & Rescue and an air ambulance attended the incident, but Mr Singh, who was a kitchen fitter by trade, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The opening of the inquest took place at Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court on January 26.
Senior coroner Crispin Butler confirmed that the medical cause of death was a ‘traumatic brain injury’.
He also revealed that a passenger in the car involved in the crash was able to escape.
Speaking at the time of the crash, Investigating officer PC Stuart Holt, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “First and foremost, my thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who tragically lost his life in this collision.
“We are investigating this collision as a priority, so I’m urging any witnesses to get in touch.
“Also, any drivers with a dashcam who were in the vicinity at the time should review any footage they may have, as it could hold vital information about the collision or the moments leading up to it.”
PC Holt encouraged anyone with information to contact police by calling 101 or submitting a report on the force’s website, quoting reference 43250470168.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via its website.
The full inquest into Mr Singh’s death was expected to be held today, Thursday, June 25.
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