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.
The broadcaster confirmed last week that the popular show will return to TV four years after it was put on pause when co-host Andrew Flintoff was injured in a crash during filming.
The long-running motoring programme launched former presenter Jeremy Clarkson into his current status of stardom, hosting him first as a slot presenter and then as the face of the programme in the 2000s, alongside co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May.
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The trio were replaced by broadcaster Chris Evans and Friends star Matt LeBlanc in 2015, before Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris took over in 2018.
But it was put on hold indefinitely when former cricketeer Flintoff suffered serious facial and rib injuries after being dragged face-down under an open-topped, three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 car for about 50metres at the show’s test track in December 2022.
The BBC apologised and paid compensation to Flintoff after the accident.
Now, the broadcaster has confirmed the show will return, and although the line-up for the comeback has not been announced, some famous faces have been named the bookies’ favourites.
William Hill’s betting said comedian Jimmy Carr and former England rugby star Joe Marler are the two favourites to get behind the wheel as the new show’s hosts.
Carr is the even-money favourite to become one of the new presenters, following reports linking the comedian and known car enthusiast with the role, while Marler is next in the betting at 6/4, with his profile having risen considerably since his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors.
Jodie Kidd is the only other candidate priced in single figures at 4/1, with the model and motoring presenter having previously appeared on Top Gear.
Gordon Ramsay (10/1) is the next best-backed name, while Rowan Atkinson, John Bishop, Bernie Collins, Naomi Schiff and Jamie Chadwick are all 16/1.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The BBC may be keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to the new Top Gear line-up, but the betting already has a couple of clear favourites.
“Jimmy Carr is the obvious frontrunner at even-money, particularly given the reports linking him with the role and his previous appearance on the show, while Joe Marler at 6/4 would certainly bring a very different flavour to the driving seat.
Jodie Kidd is also an interesting contender at 4/1 given her experience in motoring television, while there’s no shortage of big names further down the market, from Gordon Ramsay and Rowan Atkinson to John Bishop and Jamie Chadwick.”
The BBC’s director of entertainment Ed Havard broke the news at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday, August 27, confirming the that ‘Top Gear is coming back’ but refusing to discuss potential hosts.
He said more information will be coming ‘shortly’.
Liam, whose surname has not been released, is missing from Carterton in West Oxfordshire.
The 27-year-old was last seen in the Snowberry Court area of the town near near Witney, on Sunday, August 31.
Thames Valley Police has issued an appeal asking anyone who sees him to call 999 immediately and not to approach him.
Liam is described as a white man, about 6ft tall, with a medium build, who has dark hair, a shaved head and a beard.
He was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.
An image of Liam was released to help people identify him, and police said he is known to frequent Carterton and Oxford.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “We’re concerned for Liam’s welfare, so if you see him, please don’t approach him but call us immediately on 999 quoting reference 43260452711.”
All Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites will close their doors for the final time in the coming days as part of a major restructure by parent company Whitbread.
Whitbread said in April that it would close its remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites as part of a strategy overhaul.
The business said this would result in 3,800 job cuts, although a spokesperson added that it would try to retain as many staff as possible.
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Included in its strategy, Whitbread said it will sell and lease back many of its freehold properties, and earlier this summer the Brewers Fayre in Oxford Road, Bicester was listed for £950,000.
In addition, The Applecart Beefeater at the Oxford South Milton Interchange was listed for a £600,000 sale.
Following this, Beefeater customers were informed of the date of the restaurant closures in a letter sent to reward club members.
It stated: “As you may have seen, we have recently announced changes to our business, which is resulting in the closure of our Branded Restaurants.
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“This means that on Thursday 10 September 2026 your local Beefeater and all other UK Beefeaters will close.”
The restructure is part of Whitbread’s new five-year growth strategy, which aims to re-focus the business and reduce costs by £250 million.
This includes a shift towards an integrated food and drink model that the company believes is more efficient and better suited to Premier Inn guests.
Dominic Paul, Whitbread’s chief executive, previously said: “We always challenge ourselves to improve and, in light of significant cost increases in the form of business rates and national insurance, as well as the implied market discount to our inherent value, we’ve looked hard at the options open to us to maximise value creation over the medium and long-term.
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“This has been a rigorous process, and we’ve approached all options with an open mind.
“Our new five-year plan builds on our strengths and drives a significant acceleration of our strategy.
“This plan will transform Whitbread into a higher-margin, higher-returning pure-play hotel business.
“We’re going to go further and faster to deliver a great experience for our guests and high-quality growth and returns for our shareholders.”
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