Summer 2026 has been declared the hottest in the UK since records began in 1884, with forecasters reporting a provisional average temperature of 16.5C for June, July, and August. This figure exceeds the 2025 average of 16.1C and the previous high of 15.7C set in 2018.
New data indicates the UK reached 30C on 40 separate days this summer, surpassing the prior record of 34 days. Temperatures of 35C or higher were recorded on 10 days, exceeding the previous record of five days, which was set in 1976 and matched in 2020. This summer also marked the first time on record that temperatures reached 37C on three separate days. Overall, temperatures above 37C have been recorded only nine times in the UK, with three of those instances occurring this year. The extreme heat was also noted across four calendar months—May, June, July, and August—breaking the previous record of two months.
Five widespread heatwaves contributed to the record-breaking temperatures, with the hottest day of the year recorded at Kew Gardens in London on August 13, reaching 38.1C. This intense heat has had significant consequences, including the driest July in 190 years. The Environment Agency declared a drought in up to 70 percent of England and all of Wales.
At the peak of the dry spell, approximately 2.8 million people were subjected to temporary hosepipe bans due to dwindling water reserves and low river flows. These bans prohibited the use of hosepipes, sprinklers, pressure washers, and automatic irrigation systems for tasks such as watering gardens, washing vehicles, or filling swimming pools.
The sustained high temperatures placed severe pressure on water systems, wildlife, agricultural sectors, emergency services, and infrastructure. In England, heat-related deaths are on track to reach a new high, with an estimated 2,877 fatalities attributed to the May and June heatwaves. This figure is nearly double that of the entirety of 2025 and is expected to surpass the previous record of 2,985 deaths recorded in the summer of 2022. Conclusive figures are anticipated in early 2027.
The hot weather also led to a series of tragic drownings, with 15 young people and five adults losing their lives during the heatwave. Incidents occurred at reservoirs, lakes, and rivers across the country, prompting widespread warnings about water safety. In one week at the end of May, 20 people died at various water bodies.
Effective this month, water safety education will become a compulsory component of Relationships and Sex and Health Education (RSHE) lessons within the school curriculum. Coinciding with the first day of meteorological autumn, five flood alerts were issued for England.
Forecasters predict wet and windy conditions for the North West and Scotland, with drier conditions and scattered showers expected elsewhere. Looking ahead to September, periods of unsettled weather are likely, with more rain anticipated in northern and western regions, while southern and eastern areas may experience longer dry spells. Drought conditions are expected to persist and potentially worsen in most of England and all of Wales until substantial rainfall occurs.
In related news, the Met Office has unveiled the official storm names for the 2026-27 season, including tributes submitted by the public. Names such as Austen, Boelo, and Chloe will be the first to be used. The Met Office highlighted that naming storms aids public awareness and preparedness for severe weather events.