General · 8 September 2026
Portsmouth is UK city most at risk from extreme heat
Research shows Portsmouth is currently the most vulnerable to extreme heat and will remain so until the end of the century. Cities become 'urban heat islands' as hard surfaces absorb solar radiation, making them up to 10C hotter than surrounding rural areas. By 2040, all 71 Great British cities analysed will reach high heat vulnerability, with nearly two-thirds facing the most severe level by 2100.
Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs