Summer 2026 expected to be declared UK's hottest on record
The UK Met Office is expected to declare Summer 2026 as the hottest on record since 1884. The data reflects a trend of more frequent and intense heatwaves driven by human-induced climate change.
Why it matters
This confirms the accelerating impact of global warming on regional weather patterns and seasonal norms.
Image source, EPA By Ben Rich , Lead Weather Presenter and Justin Rowlatt , Climate Editor Published 2 minutes ago The Met Office is expected to confirm that the UK has had its hottest summer since records began in 1884.
Provisional figures for the months of June, July and August are due to be released on Tuesday afternoon and are likely to reveal that mean temperatures - which include daytime and overnight values - have broken the previous record, set just last year .
It follows a spring and summer of persistent heat with five widespread heatwaves and 40 days of temperatures above 30C (86F), smashing the previous record of 34 days.
The temperature figures are in line with evidence that summers are getting hotter , with more intense and frequent heatwaves, as a result of human-induced climate change. Records are being broken more often - and by bigger margins.
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