The United Kingdom has experienced its hottest summer on record, according to provisional data from the Met Office. Between June and August 2026, the country recorded an average temperature of 16.5°C, surpassing the previous seasonal high of 16.1°C set in 2025. This marks the warmest summer since temperature records began nearly 150 years ago.
The summer of 2026 was characterized by five distinct heatwaves occurring between May and August, leading to widespread drought conditions and increased instances of wildfires and travel disruptions across the UK. Over the course of the season, temperatures exceeded 30°C on 40 separate days, setting a new record that breaks the previous mark of 34 days. The highest temperature recorded during this period was 38.1°C, measured on August 13 at Kew Gardens. Although this figure did not surpass the all-time UK temperature record of 40.3°C, which was set in Lincolnshire in July 2022, several new benchmarks were established, including reaching 37°C or higher on three separate occasions. This is notable given that prior to 2026, temperatures above 37°C had only been recorded nine times in the UK.
Regional differences were also evident throughout the summer. The mean temperature for England was 18.2°C, with Wales experiencing 16.9°C, Scotland 13.8°C, and Northern Ireland 15.4°C. The first heatwave in May broke that month’s temperature record by more than 2°C, while the UK endured a prolonged heatwave that lasted approximately three weeks in July and August.
Dr. Amy Doherty, head of the national climate information centre at the Met Office, highlighted the significance of these developments, noting that the UK’s increasing frequency of record-breaking temperatures reflects the growing influence of human-induced climate change. She also pointed out that the summer of 1976, historically remembered for its heat, now ranks seventh in terms of average summer temperatures, with the five warmest summers occurring since 2003.
As meteorological autumn began, five flood alerts were in place in parts of England, with forecasts indicating wet and windy conditions across the North West and Scotland. Although drier conditions were predicted elsewhere, most of England and all of Wales remain in drought, with experts warning that these conditions are likely to worsen without sustained rainfall. Additionally, forecasters expect an increase in storms and precipitation across northern and western parts of the UK in September, while the South and East may experience longer dry spells.
The Met Office typically confirms seasonal temperature data on the first day of each meteorological season, with the official figures for summer 2026 expected to be finalized soon.