8 h. ago 'Very high' wildfire warning issued by fire chiefs as sizzling heatwave continues

The vast majority of wildfires are started by human behaviour and the SFRS is urging communities to avoid lighting fires and using naked flames while this warning is in place.

Events

9 h. ago Thousands evacuated in Spain as deadly heatwave fans Mediterranean wildfires

Boy, four, dies of heatstroke in Rome as scientists say high temperatures and fires are reminder of climate emergencyThe deadly heatwave fanning wildfires across the Mediterranean region has claimed at least three lives and forced thousands of people from their homes.Firefighters continued to battle blazes on Tuesday and authorities braced for further damage as temperatures in some areas surged well past 40C. In Spain, a Romanian man in his 50s died after suffering 98% burns while trying to rescue horses from a burning stable near Madrid on Monday night. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago Drivers warned to remove four items from cars as UK heatwave hits 33C

The UK is set to be hit by a heatwave this week, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 33C in parts of the country - and drivers are being warned to take action

Events

16 h. ago High pollution warning issued in London as capital braces for 34C heat

City Hall triggers warning as heatwave and existing pollution combine to increase ground-level ozone levels

Events

38 h. ago All petrol and diesel drivers told to fill up their tanks before Tuesday

The Met Office is forecasting a heatwave for parts of the UK on Monday and Tuesday with highs of 35C

Events

39 h. ago Weather tracker: Europe braces for another heatwave with highs of 44C

Parts of Spain and Portugal likely to bear brunt of heat, while drought conditions sweep North AmericaEurope live – latest updatesAfter a period of cooler weather, swaths of central and eastern Europe face another heatwave as hot air over south-western Europe pushes north-west.Since late July, large parts of the Iberian peninsula have endured persistent heat, with temperatures frequently climbing to the high 30s to low 40s celsius. Continue reading...

Society

4 d. ago Brits warned to avoid BBQs as UK faces sweltering heatwave with highs in mid

Parents have been urged to talk to their children about the 'risks of starting outdoor fires' and sun-lovers asked not to bring disposable BBQs to the park ahead of the new heatwave

Events

4 d. ago Weather tracker: heavy rainfall across India, Japan and Hong Kong causes widespread disruption

Hong Kong hit by 350mm of rain in 24 hours, while mountainous state of Uttarakhand badly affected by landslides and floodingLarge parts of Asia have been especially wet this week and the heavy rain is forecast to continue into next week. Hong Kong issued four black rainstorm warnings – the most times this warning has been issued in a single week.The worst of the rainfall was on 5 August, with more than 350mm in 24 hours, the highest daily rainfall recorded in August since 1884. This caused widespread disruption on roads and flights. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago As temperatures soar, it’s time to close the green space gap

While urban greening can help mitigate extreme heat, such spaces are not distributed equitablyIt has been a summer of heatwaves in western Europe, with record highs of 46C (115F) in Spain and Portugal.An estimated 2,300 people died of heat-related causes across 12 European cities in June, according to a rapid scientific analysis, with two-thirds of those deaths linked to climate breakdown, which has made heatwaves more severe. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Weather tracker: Heavy monsoon rain leaves many dead in Pakistan

Low-lying areas of Punjab province hit by significant flooding after rivers overflow their banksThe south-west monsoon continued a deadly streak in Pakistan this week, with torrential rain on Wednesday killing at least 63 people. After beginning life as showers and thunderstorms in north-west India this week, a more organised area of low pressure developed, merging showers into a larger area of heavy rain as they moved into the Pakistani province of Punjab. This rain tracked roughly north across Punjab on Tuesday night and into Wednesday, hitting several major cities including Lahore and the capital, Islamabad. The greatest rainfall was in the city of Chakwal, which recorded 423mm (16.6in), more than double the July average.Rivers overflowed their banks, significantly flooding low-lying areas of Punjab. Though several of the deaths were attributed to drowning, most were the result of building collapses. A number of deaths were reportedly from electrocution. This latest deluge takes ...

Events

4 w. ago UK set for fourth intense heatwave as scorching 32C highs close out July

If you're happy the recent heatwaves are at an end, there's bad news - even more scorching temperatures look likely to be baking Britain before the end of the month

Politics