Scientists blame climate change for the UK heatwave: 32°C temperatures were made 100 TIMES more likely by global warming

As the UK braces for the first heatwave of 2025, scientists warn that is responsible. was made 100 times more likely by global warming, according to the research group World Weather Attribution. Before humans began to alter the climate with , the UK would only see these temperatures in June once every 2,500 years. Today, Britons should expect to be hit by similar life-threatening extremes once every 25 years. Due to human activity, than it was before the Industrial Revolution. This has made heatwaves like the one the UK is currently facing both more severe and more frequent. Historically, a June heatwave with three or more days above 28C (82.4F) would only happen about once every 50 years in the UK. Now, every June has a 20 per cent chance of experiencing a heatwave - 10 times more likely than in the pre-industrial period. This week, the UK has The current forecast predicts maximum temperatures to reach 32C (90F) in some locations, with heatwave thresholds likely to be exceeded across the country. The hottest area, Humberside, is predicted to reach 33C (91.4F) on Saturday, while London exceeds 30C (86F) until Monday. On Thursday, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued an amber heat alert for the whole of the UK, warning that there could be a 'rise in deaths'. In a new report, World Weather Attribution finds that these temperatures were . Dr Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London and co-lead of World Weather Attribution, says: 'We know exactly what has intensified this heatwave - burning oil, gas and coal, which has loaded the atmosphere with planet-heating greenhouse gases.' Overall, June heatwaves are now about 2-4C (3.6-7.2F) more intense due to climate change. In the report, the researchers warn that this is enough of a difference to turn June's forecast from 'warm sunny weather into dangerous heat'. While many people might be looking forward to enjoying the hot weather over the weekend, heatwaves are the deadliest extreme event in the world and kill hundreds of thousands each year. Professor Mike Tipton, a human physiologist from the University of Portsmouth who was not involved with the study, says: 'The human body is not designed to tolerate prolonged exposure to this sort of extreme heat. 'We know that when temperatures rise above 30 degrees there is a spike in excess deaths, particularly in vulnerable groups, and unfortunately we are likely to see that again in the coming days and weeks as the mercury once again rises to these dangerous levels.' Heatwaves are especially dangerous in June when people have not yet had a chance to acclimate to the heat. This is especially problematic for the elderly and infirm who might not be able to get outside to cool off or monitor their own temperature. During 2022, when a record temperature of 40.3C (104.5F) was recorded at Coningsby, Lincolnshire. More than 1,000 excess deaths among older people were recorded around the four-day peak of the heatwave, with more than 3,000 heat-related deaths in England over summer 2022. Professor Tipton says: 'With the evidence that 32-degree days in June are now 100 times more likely, it is undeniable that climate change is now costing British lives.' This comes after a study conducted by the Met Office predicted that summers rivalling the famous 1976 heatwave could become the norm as the climate continues to warm. During that summer, the UK spent a sweltering fortnight above the heatwave threshold of 28C (82F). Looking ahead, the Met Office warns that the UK might spend two-thirds of the summer at those temperatures, with continuous heatwaves lasting up to a month. The study warned there is now a 50/50 chance of the UK hitting 40C again in the next 12 years, World Weather Attribution also Theodore Keeping, wildfire researcher at Imperial College, says: 'Hotter temperatures mean an exponential increase in the evaporation of moisture from vegetation. 'This leads to much drier conditions, and results in a higher chance of wildfires starting and spreading as leaf litter and grasses become tinder dry.' The UK is already in the midst of a record year for wildfires, Tom Lancaster, land, food and farming analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, says: 'Were in the midst of a record-breaking year for wildfires, with exceptionally severe fire risk forecast for this weekend, bringing home the reality of continuing to pump carbon emissions into the atmosphere.' Ahead of this weekend's heatwave, emergency services around the country have issued warnings about the increased risk of fires. According to the Met Office, the fire severity risk is currently 'very high' in many places and 'high' in others. Mr Keeping adds: 'People going outside to enjoy the warm weather should not be using fire or disposable barbecues, dispose of cigarette butts carefully and should immediately notify emergency services if they do notice a fire.