Paris, Aug. 10 (SANA)Britain and France are preparing for another heat wave as western Europe endures a season of exceptional temperatures, drought and destructive wildfires.

Météo-France forecast temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius in southeastern France from Tuesday. An amber heat-health alert will take effect across most of England the same day, with temperatures expected to reach 36 degrees Celsius later in the week.

Western Europe recorded its hottest combined June–July period, according to climate data cited by The Associated Press. Repeated spells of extreme heat since May have contributed to wildfires, prolonged drought and thousands of projected heat-related deaths across the continent.

The first seven months made 2026 the third-hottest year recorded to date, behind 2024 and 2025. Scientists said the combination of human-caused climate change and a strengthening El Niño could still make it the hottest full year on record.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that the average July sea-surface temperature across oceans unaffected by seasonal sea ice reached a record 20.96 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous July high of 20.89 degrees set in 2023.

The global average surface-air temperature last month was 16.90 degrees Celsius, tying July 2024 as the second-warmest July on record.

Météo-France has warned that climate change will make heat waves more frequent, prolonged and intense, according to its assessment of future heat extremes.