England has recorded its warmest June since records began in 1884, while the UK experienced its second-warmest June, following a late-month heatwave that broke multiple temperature records.
England experienced its hottest June since record-keeping began in 1884 due to exceptionally hot weather in the last week of the month, according to the UK Met Office. June was also the second hottest month for the UK.
According to the Met Office, the average temperature for June in England was 17.1°C and surpassed the record of 16.9°C, which was set in 2025. June ended up being a very hot month with temperatures breaking records all across the country.
On June 26, 37.7°C was recorded in Lingwood, Norfolk, which is the highest June temperature ever recorded in England. The previous record of 35.6°C was recorded back in 1976. There were more than 150 weather stations across the country reporting their highest June temperatures.
The extreme weather put strains on transport, health care facilities, and schools as temperatures were above the seasonal average throughout the month. Several regions of England experienced daytime temperatures of more than 30°C for several days in a row, and nighttime temperatures did not drop significantly in some regions.
According to the Met Office, each month of 2026 except for January has experienced higher temperatures compared to the annual mean. The most significant anomalies were registered in the southern and eastern regions of England. In some areas, the deviations from the average exceeded 3°C for the month of June.
The experts explained that this heatwave is related to the pattern of temperature increase in the country. As stated by the researchers who belong to the World Weather Attribution, similar weather conditions have become much more probable due to human-induced climate change.
In recent years, the frequency and duration of the heatwaves in the country have increased. Hotter air and dryness contribute to the probability of extreme heat spells in the UK.
The climate scientists believe that the latest data demonstrates the necessity of preparation for the upcoming high temperatures. High temperatures may negatively influence public health and the transport system and lead to increased demand for electricity, which in turn affects infrastructure built in a cooler climate.
According to the Met Office, periods of hot weather will occur more often due to the rise in global temperatures.
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