It also confirmed July 2026 as the driest July on record for England and Wales in a series spanning 190 years, with Southern England experiencing its driest calendar month ever.

The Hastings Weather Service has been recording and reporting on weather data like this since 1875. Staffed by volunteers, the Weather Service publishes the information locally as well as submitting it to the Met Office each day, where the data is used to validate their forecasting and contribute to the long-term UK climate record (see HIP article: A Day in the Life of a Weather Volunteer, 21 September 2018).

But this was not an every-day recording. A member of the weather team points out: “In an era of climate change, this is not a record to welcome but is a sign of the times and possibly what the future holds.” And, as Green Cllr Jo Walker says, “Setting a new national temperature record is a reminder that climate change is not a distant issue – it is happening now.”

It is particularly uncomfortable news as it confirms on our own doorstep the crisis we are facing as a town, as a country and, indeed, as a planet. This is why Hastings Commons hosted a free community screening and discussion event featuring the climate change documentary The People’s Emergency Briefing at the Observer Building on August 1. This important film is galvanising people around the country to take action on climate change in the absence of government leadership.

We have also been reminded of how uncomfortable one aspect of global warming can be: high temperatures at night that make it almost impossible to get a good night’s sleep, at least under the current housing conditions in which we live.

In the meantime, here are a few tips for keeping cool as night temperatures stay high.

For Yourself

• Target pulse points: Dab cool water or place a damp cloth on your wrists, neck, or the backs of your knees.
• Wear loose cotton: Choose lightweight, breathable sleepwear or sleep with minimal covers to let body heat escape.
• Chill your pillowcase: Place your pillowcase in a bag in the fridge or freezer for a short time before putting it on your pillow.
• Stay hydrated: Keep a glass of cool water by your bed, but avoid heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol right before sleep.

For Your Surroundings

• Ventilate strategically: Open windows only when the outdoor temperature drops lower than the indoor temperature, creating a cross-breeze if possible.
• Position fans wisely: Set a fan facing outward directly in front of an open window to push hot air out or place a shallow bowl of ice in front of an inward-facing fan for a DIY air-conditioning effect.]
• Shift locations: If your upstairs bedroom traps too much heat, consider moving your mattress or sleeping on a lower floor or the lowest level of your home where it is naturally cooler.