Britain and heatwaves—a pairing that, not so long ago, would have sounded as incongruous as palm trees in Piccadilly or flamingos on the Firth of Forth. Yet, as amber heat alerts become part of the summer weather ritual, it’s worth imagining: what if these soaring temperatures weren’t just anomalies, but harbingers of a new British climate?

Picture a future where Wimbledon is routinely paused for shade breaks, London’s Underground is lined with advertisements for personal cooling fans instead of umbrellas, and Cornwall’s beaches are filled with locals pointing at sunbathing lizards instead of sheep. Could we one day grow oranges in Oxfordshire, or host an annual Brighton Mango Festival? While some of these ideas are fanciful, history bears witness to climate’s surprising swings: during the so-called "Medieval Warm Period" (approx. 900–1300 AD), vineyards flourished in England. Perhaps warmth, for better or worse, is less foreign to these isles than we sometimes imagine.

There’s a playful side to these musings, but also a challenge: heat is no joke. As Europe faces severe weather, the once-comforting British rain now feels less a nuisance, more a shield. Might the signature British stiff upper lip be tested not by drizzle, but by drought and scorching air?

As the mercury rises, maybe the most British thing of all will become adaptation—learning to thrive under amber skies.

This article was inspired by the headline: 'Amber heat health alert in force as temperatures set to soar in UK - and severe weather hits Europe - Sky News'.