The Met Office has warned that the UK's highest June temperature record is expected to be broken this week, with temperatures potentially soaring to 39C in London and the South East. The current June record of 35.6C, set in 1976, could be surpassed in the coming days, and the record for the highest June minimum temperature may also be challenged.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Forecast
In a social media post, the Met Office stated: "The UK's June maximum temperature record is expected to be broken this week, and the highest minimum temperature record may be broken as well." The current June minimum temperature record is 22.7C, also set in 1976. The forecaster added that high humidity will make the heat feel even more punishing, noting that "the high temperatures only tell part of the story however, as high humidity will add to how uncomfortable it is both by day and night."
Potential Highs of 39C
The Met Office said temperatures could reach a maximum of 39C on Thursday, most likely in London or the South East, with even higher readings possible. Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: "The Met Office is flagging 39C as a headline maximum temperature on Thursday, most likely for somewhere in London or the South East. Forecast temperature values are indicative and are subject to a slight range either side. It is possible we could see temperatures higher than the 39C if the final values are at the upper end of our narrow range."
Impact of High Humidity
Madge emphasised that the temperature value is only one element of the extreme heatwave story. "The other major factor is the high humidity which for many will make the intense heat even harder to endure," he said. The warning comes after the UK's highest temperature recorded on Tuesday reached 34.6C in Wisley, Surrey, according to the Met Office. However, Tuesday's peak did not beat the June record of 35.6C, set in Hampshire in 1976, and also fell short of the hottest day of the year so far – 35.1C at Kew Gardens, London, on May 26.
