Record-breaking temperatures in July led to hundreds more deaths than usual in England, highlighting climate change risks

On the hottest day of 2022, England saw an alarming spike in deaths, with 638 more fatalities than the typical daily average, according to official data from the Office for National Statistics. The extreme heat on 19 July, when temperatures soared above 40°C (104°F) for the first time in the country’s history, had a deadly toll. The following day also saw 496 additional deaths, continuing the concerning trend.

Experts described the data as an “extraordinary” wake-up call, underscoring the lethal effects of extreme heat and the ongoing threat posed by climate change. Doctors cautioned that the high temperatures, compounded by nightly lows above 27°C, created conditions ripe for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke—especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, infants, outdoor workers, and those with pre-existing health issues.

The spike in deaths exceeded initial predictions by experts at the London School of Tropical Hygiene and Medicine (LSTHM), further illustrating the severe consequences of heatwaves on public health.