UK summers temperatures reaching 40°C could be common by 2100

Jul 7, 2020

Sunbathers and swimmers enjoy a hot Summer day at Brighton beach in Britain June 30, 2015. Britain's Meteorological Office has warned of the possibility of heatwave conditions, with temperatures reaching their highest of the year on Tuesday and Wednesday. REUTERS/Luke Macgregor - LR2EB6U0ZPAD0

Rising carbon emissions could lead to a 40°C heatwave every three years by 2100. Image: REUTERS/Luke Macgregor

Lisa Baldini

Lecturer in Environmental Science, Teesside University

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A firefighter tackles a moorland fire in north-west England during the 2018 summer heatwave.

With rising temperatures, heat related risks will naturally increase. Image: NIGEL RODDIS

Temperatures exceeding 40°C become increasingly likely towards the end of the century.

Potential temperature increase with rising global emissions Image: Met Office Hadley Centre

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