England and Wales have experienced their warmest spring on record this year, largely due to an "exceptionally early" heatwave that struck the UK at the end of May, according to provisional Met Office data.
Record-Breaking Temperatures
The mean average temperature in England across March, April and May reached 10.41C, surpassing the previous record of 10.23C set in 2025. This marks the third consecutive year that a new spring temperature record has been established in England. Wales recorded a mean temperature of 9.73C, pushing 2025 (9.69C) into second place, followed by 1893 (9.66C) and 2024 (9.44C).
Scotland saw its eighth warmest spring, while Northern Ireland experienced its joint sixth warmest. The UK as a whole recorded its third warmest spring since records began in 1884.
Heatwave Impact
The "exceptionally early and record-breaking spell of heat at the end of May" contributed significantly to these high seasonal averages. A provisional high of 35.1C was measured at Kew Gardens in London on May 26, setting a new record for May. Some areas saw temperatures exceed 30C for six consecutive days. Amber heat-health alerts were issued for several English regions, indicating risks to vulnerable individuals and potential pressure on health services.
Dr Emily Carlisle, a Met Office scientist, stated: "This spring highlights both the natural variability of the UK's weather and the longer-term warming we are observing. While conditions varied through the season, all three months of meteorological spring recorded mean temperatures within the UK's top 10 warmest on record." She added: "The fact that nine of the 10 warmest springs in England have occurred since 2007 illustrates this ongoing shift in the UK's climate."
Drought Concerns
The Environment Agency announced that a meeting of the National Drought Group will be convened in the coming weeks to assess the heatwave's impact. Several counties in southern and eastern England received only about a third of their average spring rainfall. Cambridgeshire had 35% of its long-term average, Essex 34%, while Kent and Suffolk each recorded 33%. A clear north-south divide emerged, with northern England receiving 90% of average seasonal rainfall compared to just 50% in the south.
Helen Wakeham, Environment Agency director of water and chair of the National Drought Group, said: "No parts of England are currently in drought, but the risk increases the longer it remains hot and dry. The recent heatwave has seen significant peaks in demand for water while river flows have fallen due to the very dry spring, and reservoir levels are reducing. We continue to closely track the situation and have convened a National Drought Group meeting in the coming weeks, so we are prepared if the dry conditions remain."
The group includes representatives from the Met Office, the government, regulators, water companies, the National Farmers' Union, the Canal & River Trust, anglers, and conservation experts.
