This summer was UK's warmest since records began

In 2026, the United Kingdom experienced its warmest summer on record since measurements began in 1884, according to provisional data from the Met Office. Average temperatures during June, July and August reached 16.5C, surpassing the previous record of 16.1C set in 2025. This made three of the top six warmest summers occur in this century, with 2026 leading the list.

The Met Office stated that summers of this scale are now 130 times more likely due to climate change and have become an annual occurrence, occurring once every nine years. The extreme conditions led to devastating wildfires, water restrictions for millions, and drought declarations in multiple areas. A record-breaking heatwave in June saw temperatures peak at 38C in Lingwood, Norfolk, while a recent mid-August heatwave saw temperatures reach 38.1C in Kew Gardens, London.

The UK Health Security Agency estimated that 2,877 deaths were associated with the heatwaves in May and June. Notably, 2026 marked the first year to see three separate days with temperatures exceeding 37C. Fire and rescue services responded to 1,132 wildfires this year, surpassing last year's total. The Met Office weather station at Wisley in Surrey recorded 62 consecutive days without rain, and reservoir storage in England averaged 60%, significantly below the yearly average.

The persistent dry weather and extreme heat continue to impact the UK despite recent rainfall, according to the Met Office.