England records hottest June in history
Last month was provisionally the warmest June in England since records began, as well as the second warmest for the UK, thanks to the recent heatwave that brought a run of sweltering days and balmy nights. The average temperature in England across the month was 17.1°C, beating the previous June record of 16.9°C set last year, according to figures published by the Met Office.
It means England’s top three warmest Junes since data began in 1884 have all occurred this decade, with 2026 in first place, 2025 second and 2023 (16.7°C) third. The mean temperature across the UK was 15.6°C, ranking behind only 15.8°C in 2023.
Heatwave brings seven days of scorching temperatures
A punishing heatwave affected many parts of the country during the last week of the month, with temperatures topping 30°C somewhere in the UK for seven days in a row from June 21-27. A peak of 37.7°C was provisionally reached at Lingwood in Norfolk on June 26 – the highest maximum temperature ever recorded for the month. This was more than two degrees higher than the previous June record of 35.6°C, set in 1957 at Camden Square in London and equalled in 1976 at Mayflower Park in Southampton.
Last month also saw a provisional new June record for the highest overnight minimum, with temperatures at Cardiff Bute Park dropping no lower than 23.5°C on June 25.
Wales and other nations also feel the heat
Wales experienced its second warmest June on record, with a mean average temperature across the month of 15.9°C, behind only 16.2°C in 2023. Scotland and Northern Ireland both saw their joint fourth warmest June.
The exceptionally hot and humid conditions in the last week of the month led the Met Office to issue a rare red warning for extreme heat for much of southern England and south-east Wales. The warning ran for three consecutive days – the longest period of time such an alert has been in place.
Widespread disruption and health impacts
As the heat wore on, several hospitals declared critical incidents, train services were cancelled, court sittings were disrupted and many schools and nurseries closed. The London Ambulance Service said it had responded to a record number of call-outs for life-threatening emergencies, while a hosepipe ban was introduced in Kent following a surge in demand for water.
Dr Emily Carlisle, of the Met Office, said: “June’s high temperatures are part of a broader pattern of warmth during 2026. So far, five of the first six months of the year have recorded mean temperatures at least 1°C above average, with only January seeing below-average temperatures.”
Climate change link confirmed by scientists
Scientists warned the severity of last month’s heatwave – which affected much of mainland Europe as well as the UK – would have been virtually impossible 50 years ago. An analysis by the World Weather Attribution group found a similar heatwave occurring in the climate of 1976 would be 3.5°C cooler and would not have seen the same daytime peaks and overnight temperatures as in 2026.
Professor Stephen Belcher, Met Office chief scientist, said: “Human induced climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense. To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply.”
2026 shaping up as record-breaking year
This year is shaping up to be a multiple record-breaker for heat in the UK. As well as the highest peak June temperature since Met Office data began, 2026 has also seen the highest May temperature on record, with 35.1°C measured on May 26 at Kew Gardens in London. England and Wales both experienced their warmest spring on record in 2026, thanks partly to the heatwave that hit the UK at the end of May.
Sunshine totals in June were above average for the UK, England and Wales, although “not by as much as might be expected” given the intensity of the heat, the Met Office added. The high humidity “meant skies were often hazier and cloudier than during a less humid heatwave, limiting sunshine totals despite the exceptional temperatures”. Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded below average sunshine totals.
Despite the exceptional heat, June was wetter than average for the UK and all four nations, due to a series of low-pressure weather systems earlier in the month that brought cloudy and unsettled conditions to many areas.
