heatwave June July 2026

  • Orality and Storytelling

    Learning to read the signs with Samuel Pepys

    This year we comemmorate the 360th anniversary of the Great Fire of London. Weather-wise, something has come full circle. Since May, our European summer of 2026, with its historic series of heatwaves, has borne an uncanny resemblance to the summer of 1666 which was also swelteringly hot with virtually no rain. Are we able to read the signs before it is too late?

  • Orality and Storytelling

    A story to give you the shivers

    I’m a weatherman. I work for the television as a matter of fact. Here's a story of something that happened to me. A story to give you the shivers. Last night's forecast said : "After today's glorious sunshine and record-breaking temperatures, the National Weather Centre announces extreme cold for tomorrow with heavy snowfalls all over the country." Hard to believe? Well, just take a look at the story.