Britain experienced over 63,000 lightning strikes in the 24 hours leading up to 10 a.m. on June 26, 2026, as an intense heatwave continued to grip the country. The Met Office issued thunderstorm warnings for various regions, anticipating further lightning, heavy rain, and hail.
Overnight Storms and Extreme Heat
The storms coincided with an uncomfortable "tropical night," where temperatures failed to drop below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Overnight lows reached 22.7C (72.9F) in Herstmonceux, West Sussex. In Glastonbury, Somerset, a lightning strike shortly after midnight ignited a fire at St. Benedict's Nursing Home. Fire crews evacuated three residents, and one person was taken to the hospital. Approximately 25 people remained in the facility, with smoke observed emanating from the second floor.
Stunning lightning displays were visible across the country, with notable events captured over Stonehenge in Wiltshire, Chesil Beach in Dorset, The Needles on the Isle of Wight, and Fistral Beach in Cornwall. Videos also documented storms in Manchester, Edinburgh, and Somerset, including instances of horizontal lightning.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and Disruptions
June 26 marked the third consecutive day of red extreme heat warnings, with temperatures expected to reach 38C (100.4F), potentially setting a new June record for the third day in a row. London and Manchester were forecast to hit 36C (96.8F), while Belfast and Cardiff anticipated highs of 26C (78.8F). Heathrow Airport recorded 30.5C (86.9F) by 9 a.m.
These conditions follow previous record-breaking days. The previous day saw a new June record of 36.7C (98.1F) in Merryfield, Somerset. On Wednesday, a record of 36.1C (97F) was set in Gosport, Hampshire, surpassing a previous record from the summer of 1976. If 38C is reached on June 26, it would rank as the country's fifth hottest day on record.
The extreme heat has led to widespread disruptions. Thousands of schools and nurseries closed or asked for early pick-ups due to high indoor temperatures. South East Water implemented a hosepipe ban for Kent in response to increased demand. Transport services experienced significant disruption, with rail operators advising against non-essential journeys and discouraging travel for beach trips.