Heatwave heaven... or will a net it all to dust?

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- STEPH SPYRO

IT IS no secret that Britons love talking about the weather but while that topic of conversation remains a constant, the same can’t be said for the climate itself.

The country has spent the week soaking up the sunshine, downing crisp G&Ts and pouring generous jugs of chilled Pimm's.

Racegoers at Royal Ascot have sizzled in their top hats and tails and Glastonbury revellers next week could face the highest temperatures the festival has seen.

Fans at Wimbledon may also be pushed to breaking point as they bask in the sunshine over Centre Court into July, even if the strawberries are withering and the cream curdling in the SW19 heat.

The mercury is not the only thing that's been rising. The hidden cost of extreme weather is ballooning and it is affecting everything from produce prices to premiums.

Shoppers later this year could see the damage caused by the 34C temperatures expected today reflected on their receipts.

This is because farmers' crops are failing and the grass to feed their animals is not growing - with experts warning we face one of the worst harvests on record.

Queen Victoria was on the throne when England last experienced such a dry spring, with the 2025 season claiming the title of the sunniest on record.

Over the coming months, combine harvesters will be rolling in fields across the country as arable farmers produce the food, fibre and energy that fuels the nation.

But production of wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape is already expected to be near all-time lows due to the dry conditions, experts have predicted.

Drought which has been declared in two English regions so far significantly affects food prices by reducing crop yields and increasing production costs.

The likelihood of more places getting such a declaration is rising as temperatures edge higher.

In one year, Mother Nature wields the most powerful tools in her arsenal fire, water and heat against humanity.