We recreated the legendary heatwave summer of 1976 in today’s climate - here’s what we found

Key Points:

• The 1976 UK heatwave was notable for its unprecedented 15 consecutive days above 32°C, but since then, global temperatures have risen by about 1°C, making recent summers, including 2025, hotter with multiple shorter heatwaves.
• Heatwaves today are significantly more intense than in the past; for example, a comparable 1976 heatwave now would likely see peak temperatures of 38-39°C and 15 consecutive days over 35°C, posing greater health risks and infrastructure challenges.
• The UK’s current infrastructure and society are ill-prepared for these intensified heatwaves, which disrupt transport, healthcare, education, and productivity, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation to a changing climate.
• Climate projections indicate UK summers could reach 45°C within three decades if greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked, fundamentally altering the country’s climate and way of life.
• While some warming is inevitable, rapid global action to reduce fossil fuel use, restore nature, and stabilize greenhouse gases can mitigate the worst impacts and help maintain a more stable climate for future generations.