The UK has experienced its hottest summer on record, according to the Met Office, with a mean temperature of 16.1C for June, July and August. This surpasses the previous record of 15.76C set in 2018, and all five of the hottest summers have now occurred since 2000.
A rapid analysis by the Met Office found that the record-breaking temperatures were made about 70 times more likely due to human-induced climate change. Dr Mark McCarthy, head of climate attribution, said that in a natural climate such a summer would be expected roughly once every 340 years, but in the current climate it could occur about once every five years.
The summer featured four heatwaves, including days above 30C, with June being the hottest on record for England. The highest temperature recorded was 35.8C in Faversham, Kent, on 1 July, well below the UK all-time high of 40.3C set in July 2022. However, consistent warmth and unusually warm seas contributed to the record.
Much of England experienced significant water shortfalls, leading to hosepipe bans as reservoirs and rivers ran dry. The Met Office noted that minimum temperatures were exceptionally above average, creating conditions where heat built quickly and lingered.
