Portugal has shattered its May temperature record, with the mercury hitting a blistering 36.9°C in the town of Mora. The previous record of 36.2°C, set in 2018, has been obliterated. Across the Iberian Peninsula, a plume of hot air from North Africa has turned spring into a foretaste of summer, leaving locals and tourists alike seeking shade. For the UK, the ominous weather pattern raises a pressing question: are we next?
As the heatwave migrates north, forecasters predict temperatures could reach the high 20s in southern England next week. But beyond the numbers, there's a social psychology at play. The British relationship with heat is one of hopeful anticipation followed by collective panic. We are a nation of sun-worshippers ill-equipped for the aftermath: cramped trains without air conditioning, melting chocolate bars on shop shelves, and the inevitable hosepipe bans.
For the millions working in glass-fronted offices, the heatwave becomes a class issue. Those with air conditioning monitor the temperature with detached interest, while those without must negotiate the fine line between productivity and heat stroke. Meanwhile, the 'Beast from the East' gave way to 'Tropical Nights' a few years ago, and our infrastructure still hasn't caught up.
There is also the human cost to consider. In Portugal, the record temperature brings drought and wildfire risk. In the UK, we watch with a mix of admiration and dread. The cultural shift is palpable: we are becoming a country where conversation in the pub turns to the weather not as a safe topic, but as a source of genuine concern. The heatwave is no longer just an inconvenience; it's a harbinger of what may become our new normal.
Yet, there is a peculiar British resilience. As the mercury rises, so does our resolve to enjoy it. We dust off barbecues, dig out paddling pools, and pretend the 40°C days of last summer never happened. The upcoming heatwave will test this national character once again. How we cope, who suffers most, and what we learn will define the rest of the summer.
Clara Whitby observes the social currents beneath the headlines. For more on the human side of the weather, listen to 'The Temperature of the Nation' podcast.
