Global heat risks rise as UK and US cities face record temperatures

New climate analyses reveal escalating heat risks in both the United Kingdom and the United States. In the UK, research from Ordnance Survey indicates that urban centers are on a trajectory to overheat significantly. Currently, 83 per cent of British cities are classified as “highly vulnerable” to urban heat. Projections suggest that by 2040, every city in the country will fall into the “high vulnerability” category, and by 2100, 63 per cent are expected to reach “severe” heat vulnerability.

In the United States, AccuWeather reports that several cities experienced record-breaking numbers of triple-digit temperature days in 2026. Dallas, Texas, recorded 52 days above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, more than double its historical average. Other cities seeing significant increases include Austin, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The extreme heat is attributed to factors including heat domes, climate change, and a strengthening super El Niño pattern.